Masuk** Bastian’s POV **Silence returns to the cabin. Good. Most people think silence is empty; it isn’t. Silence is the best time to gather information. The coffee machine clicks as it cools. Someone walks by the cabin with a slight limp, their steps uneven. Poppy takes another sip of her coffee. There
Her brows knit together in the most adorable way.“I’ve seen him walk into burning buildings because someone was trapped inside. Stand between children and rogues without blinking. Track a wounded wolf through a blizzard with nothing but a drop of blood and instinct.”“He doesn’t hesitate?”“Never.
** Alaric’s POV **Maybe we are monsters. Just not in the way humans tell stories about. We’re wolves, alphas, predators by nature, protectors by choice, but no matter which way you look at it, we are dangerous.“I’m sorry,” I say.Her laughter fades. “For what?”“The coffee shop. The bus station. F
** Alaric's POV ** Poppy’s smile fades as her gaze suddenly loses focus. For a heartbeat, she doesn’t seem to be looking at either of us at all. “Are you okay?” I ask. She blinks and rubs lightly at her temple. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to that.” “The mind-link?” I ask. She nods
** Alaric’s POV ** Poppy’s head snaps towards me, and I freeze. Her eyes narrow. “Did you just sniff me?” “No.” Bastian’s gaze lifts from his mug, and he smirks. Traitorous bastard. Poppy stares at me. “You did.” “I was breathing.” “Towards me.” “I have very little control over the direction
“Because you’d rather they didn’t?”“No,” I look her dead in the eye. “Because they got there first.”Poppy wraps her arms around herself, and Bastian goes very still beside the coffee machine.I should stop here. It’s the intelligent choice. Unfortunately, intelligence has never been a strong trait
** Poppy’s POV **I force a laugh that I know doesn’t quite reach my eyes whilst I scan each window for any sign of someone watching me.“Protectors?” I repeat lightly. “You make it sound dramatic. I don’t have a superhero squad.”The twins don’t laugh. They exchange a brief look; it’s quick, silent
“Push,” Jake urges. “That’s it. That’s it… keep going…”Paige’s body bows, every muscle straining. I feel it all through the bond, the effort, the fire, the sheer will it takes not to break under it.“I’m here,” I keep saying, over and over. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”“That’s the head. Well done,
** Paige’s POV **If someone had told me eight months ago that the thing most likely to end my mates would be a jar of pickled onions and a tub of vanilla ice cream, I would have laughed in their face, yet here we are.Ryder stands in the kitchen doorway like a man staring down an active crime scene
** Paige’s POV **The screen flickers once more. Then Poppy’s face fills it. For half a second she just stares, her eyes wide, and her hair pulled back messily as if she’s been pacing. Then her gaze drops straight to the tiny bundle against my chest.“Oh my goodness,” she breathes. “Paige.”My chest







