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
The tightness in my chest eases a little, though I know the hardest part is still to come. “Okay,” I whisper. “I’ll tell him tomorrow.”“Good, now that the heavy stuff is out of the way, who wants to watch a movie?” Callen asks, his voice suddenly brighter.“Some of us have patrol tonight,” Parker h
** Remy’s POV ** The second I step into the room, her scent slams into me like a freight train. It’s Paige, sweet, soft and maddening, but underneath it is something else. Something I’ve only ever caught traces of when pack females go into heat. Only this is sharper, richer, laced with a pull th
** Ryder’s POV **I leave the bedroom and take a deep breath, plastering a smile on my face before going down the stairs. When I walk into the living room, Jaxon is already yawning, his little eyes heavy with sleep, and I can’t help but smile for real this time. He’s perfect.He is everything I coul
** Paige’s POV ** When it’s done, and the last shudder runs through us, he doesn’t let go. He stays buried deep, wrapped around me like he’s terrified I’ll disappear if he loosens his hold. His lips are still on my neck, gently kissing the spot he claimed. Each kiss feels a vow that no force in







