LOGIN** Jake’s POV **A minute later, the cabin door opens again. Callen steps out with far too much satisfaction written across his face. Poppy follows a second later. The moment she sees all four of us waiting, she hesitates, her steps faltering. Her gaze lands on me, then Leo. Then it drifts to Alaric
** Jake’s POV **My wolf practically whines in my head as my eyes track Poppy walking inside with Callen. Every second I spend with her makes every second away from her more difficult. “I know this is difficult,” Ryder says, pulling our attention back to him. “But for Poppy’s sake, you all need to
“Hey,” Paige says softly.“Hey,” I reply, my voice cracking. Her smile fades and her eyes narrow as she studies me. “What happened?”“Nothing, I’m okay.”Callen snorts a laugh, and I shoot him a look. “Callen, get out,” Paige orders.“Well, that’s rude.”“Out,” she demands, and he wisely retreats,
** Poppy’s POV **The door closes behind us with a soft click, and I finally take my first real breath in hours. I want to freak out. I want to shout that this isn’t supposed to be happening. But allowing myself to get worked up is not good for anyone or anything. Stuff will break, people will pani
“I was trying to figure you out,” he shrugs.“You were lurking.”Callen gasps. “Shadow boy was lurking?”Bastian’s eyes narrow. “Shadow boy?”“Oh, don’t worry,” I say. “It suits you.”For one strange moment, his expression softens. Not much, but enough that I see it. Enough that my heart skips a bea
** Poppy’s POV **The branch is still lying where it fell. I try not to look at it as we walk away, but my eyes keep finding it anyway. Split wood, torn bark, and leaves scattered across the ground as if it had exploded from the inside out. Because of me.One stupid argument. One moment when everyth
I nod, gripping his fur tighter, taking strength from him. But the reassurance barely lasts a second, because something in the air changes.The pack’s rhythm falters, a ripple of unease running through the air. The ground beneath us seems to hum with tension, and then Parker stumbles.It’s small at
** Callen’s POV **Whispers are already rippling through the air. News of an attack spreads fast between packs, and I’m sure the light show we left behind will only fuel the rumours.Ryder stays quiet, eyes fixed on me, one hand resting protectively over Paige’s. Jake crouches beside her, still moni
“Put her on the couch,” Leah says. “I’ll get some bandages in case she’s bleeding under those blankets.”“Not necessary,” Jake says quickly, stepping forward. “I’ve already checked her over, no open wounds. She’s stable. I’d prefer to monitor her myself if you don’t mind.”Leah’s eyebrows lift, her
** Ronnie’s POV **Jake’s lab smells clean, like antiseptic, now mixed with the fresh coffee I’ve just brewed. Machines hum softly in the background, lights flicker across monitors, and I can hear the faint rush of water running through the filtration tanks that line the far wall. He’s somewhere beh







