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
** Paige’s POV **Remy carries me into the bathroom, which is already filled with steam. Ryder was right. I am in fact unable to walk. When I had tried to stand, my legs were like jelly. Parker had caught me, steadying me, before Remy had scooped me into his arms. I had protested that I’d be fine to
I blow out a breath and try to calm myself. I wish this mind-link stuff were easier for me. I can’t seem to communicate that way whilst doing anything else at the same time, even breathing. Every time I’ve tried, one of the guys has been there, reminding me to breathe, which just breaks my concentra
My heart squeezes at that, and I take a breath before I speak again. “I am ready. If you are sure you can wait for me to decide if I want more kids, that you are okay with it if I decide I don’t want any more, then I’m ready to complete the bond with you both.”“Shit,” Callen curses, and I look at h
** Paige’s POV **Callen lets out a sigh, running his hands through his hair. “Don’t worry about Jax, we will get him settled. You stay here and try to relax,” he says before turning to follow Rye.“Thanks,” I try to say, but my voice comes out weak, barely above a whisper as my mind begins to spira







