I set her coffee cup down with a sharp clink. "There's no mate bond to be stressed. That's the point, isn't it? Liam doesn't remember me, doesn't want me, and is dating a pretty blonde nurse. The bond is effectively broken." "That's not how it works," Alex said quietly. "The bond doesn't break jus
Grace pov I sat in the waiting room of Dr. Evelyn Winters' office, Lucas dozing in his carrier beside me. The office was unlike any medical facility I had visited before—more reminiscent of a cozy living room than a sterile doctor's practice. Soft lighting, comfortable seating, and walls painted i
Dr. Winters nodded, making notes. "And Liam? Has he experienced any symptoms that might indicate bond stress on his side?" "He doesn't remember the bond existed," I said, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "He's dating someone new." "Memory loss doesn't negate the existence of the bond
"My friend Sarah comes by most evenings," I said. "And I have neighbors who check in." "Call them," Dr. Winters insisted. "Today. Promise me you won't try to manage alone until we know how the supplements will affect you." "I promise," I agreed, touched by the doctor's concern. Outside the cli
Grace pov Beeping machines. The antiseptic smell of hospital sheets. A dull, throbbing pain radiating from the back of my skull. I opened her eyes slowly, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings and the harsh fluorescent lighting. A hospital room. I was in a hospital room. Memory returned i
"Would have helped if we'd started them sooner," Dr. Winters interrupted gently. "Grace, we're past the point where herbal remedies and rest will be sufficient. The mate bond strain is causing a cascade effect on your system." "What does that mean, exactly?" I asked, though part of me already knew
Liam pov The distinctive rumble of a classic V8 engine announced Alex Matthews' arrival before I saw my father's restored 1969 Mustang pull into the garage parking lot. I wiped my hands on a shop rag, frowning slightly. My father rarely visited me at work, especially unannounced. Yes, I took over
Liam pov The image hit me with unexpected force—Grace falling, Lucas in her arms. A cold feeling spread through my chest. "Is Lucas—" "Lucas wasn't hurt," Dad assured him. "Grace managed to protect him even as she fell unconscious. That's the kind of mother she is." The last words carried a poin
Sophia considered the question seriously before shaking her head. "Not worry. It's the right pattern. The balance is happy about it." She adjusted another stone slightly, the golden light flowing to illuminate the new configuration. "Five is better than four. Stronger shapes." As if confirming her
I began to protest, but another wave of dizziness—milder this time—reminded me that Elena's medical advice wasn't merely precautionary. My body was indeed adjusting to significant changes, and pushing beyond its limits would serve no one. "Two days," I conceded reluctantly. "But I want regular upd
Grace pov Liam nodded, leaning forward to place a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Our children were never going to be ordinary, were they? Not with us as parents." I smiled as he looked into my eyes. Lucas was a strong werewolf with Alpha blood, and Sophia was a truth seer. Both were strong as hell.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice slightly hoarse. "You collapsed in the observation gallery," Liam explained, squeezing my hand. "Gave everyone quite a scare, especially the children. Tomas has been asking about you every fifteen minutes." I attempted to sit up, but Elena moved swiftly to prev
Grace pov Two weeks after the Children's Day revelation, the Balance Center hummed with renewed purpose. I had implemented a carefully structured program to continue engaging with the children who had shown connection to the Equilibrium, while the research division refined their understanding of h
Grace pov Liam, ever practical, focused on immediate implications. "How does this affect our response to reality-shapers? Does this expanded connection give the equilibrium greater range or power?" "Not exactly, power," I replied thoughtfully. "More like... expanded awareness. Greater understand
As we discussed these implications, Sophia's block construction had grown increasingly complex. Children placed pieces with surprising precision under her guidance, creating what appeared to be a three-dimensional representation of reality patterns around the Balance Center itself. The golden light
Grace pov Latent gifts," Elena suggested, joining me as I completed my circuit of the courtyard. The Alpha and healer had attended as a representative of the supernatural communities allied with the Balance Center. "Not strong enough to manifest as active abilities, but sufficient to create resona
Grace pov Three days after the shadow attack on the pack house, the Balance Center was hosting its first-ever Children's Day. What had begun as a small educational initiative had expanded rapidly as families associated with the Center brought not just their gifted children but siblings, cousins, a