Liam pov We appreciate that," I said, rejoining the conversation. "There are... interested parties who view Sophia's nature as a research opportunity rather than a personal identity deserving respect and privacy." Amber's expression darkened with what appeared to be genuine concern. "Like the Pr
That's wonderful," I said sincerely, happy that Amber had found her own path to happiness after the complicated entanglement with our family story. "She seems like she deserves that—someone who sees her first, as a first choice." Liam nodded, his gaze moving between Sophia's sleeping form and my f
Grace pov The medical conference that had brought Amber to Fireside lasted four days, a fact that I learned the following morning when Lucas proudly displayed his new werewolf preschool book to Beth, who mentioned seeing "the blonde nurse who used to date Liam" at the grocery store near the confer
Grace pov What's going on, Grace?" he asked gently. "Since this morning, there's been something... off. I can feel it through the bond, but I can't quite identify what it is." The direct question, delivered with such evident care and concern, broke through my protective barriers. I set down the
Liam pov Do you ever feel it?" she asked, turning slightly to see my face. "Echoes of that time, emotional aftershocks like what I experienced today?" I considered the question with characteristic thoughtfulness. "When Lucas does something particularly wolf-like—a mannerism or reaction that's pu
Amber pov I stood at the podium on the final day of the medical conference, my voice steady and professional as I presented the emergency protocols for werewolf patients that had been successfully implemented at Riverview Memorial Hospital. The audience of medical professionals—doctors, nurses, ad
Amber pov Thank you for that perspective," she replied, genuine gratitude in her voice. "It helps." We parted with professional handshakes and promises to maintain contact about the protocol implementation, but I carried Dr. Winters' insight with me as I returned to my hotel to check out and pre
Amber pov By the time I reached the outskirts of Riverview, the emotional complexity of my Fireside visit had settled into a more balanced perspective. The past remained the past—acknowledged, honored for what it had taught me, but no longer exerting undue influence on my present choices or future
Grace pov The drive back to the pack house was silent, weighted with the enormity of what had transpired at the Prisma Institute. I sat in the back seat, Sophia sleeping peacefully in her carrier beside me, while Liam maintained a protective vigil, occasionally stealing concerned glances at me. In
"What did you do?" he whispered. "Restored balance," I managed, my voice hoarse. "For now, at least." The entity had settled into a gently swirling pattern, no longer the chaotic, expanding force it had been. Reid and several other Prisma Institute personnel stared in shock from the doorway. "
Grace pov Chen moved to a control panel, inputting a complex code that caused a previously hidden door to slide open, revealing a short corridor leading to the circular chamber where the entity awaited. "Grace, please," Liam begged, shifting Sophia in his arms. "There has to be another way." I
I felt a tugging sensation in my mind, a familiar connection establishing itself. The entity was reaching out to me, recognizing me from years before. Not as an enemy, I realized with sudden clarity, but as something else—a kindred spirit, perhaps. Another being whose nature had been fundamentally a
Grace pov Around the chamber's perimeter sat three individuals in reclining chairs, their eyes fixed on the entity, glowing with the distinctive light of active truth-sight. They looked exhausted, faces drawn with strain. "What exactly am I looking at?" Alex asked, his voice low with tension.
Grace pov The Prisma Institute loomed before us, a sleek glass and steel structure nestled among dense pine forest. From the outside, it resembled an upscale research hospital or tech campus—all clean lines and reflective surfaces that revealed nothing of what lay within. Only the subtle security
Liam took my hands in his, his grip firm and grounding. "Listen to me. I don't care what they did or what they think. I know what's real. The woman I love, the mother of my children—that's you. Not some subject number, not some experiment. You." "But how can we trust anything?" I asked, my voice b
Grace pov I continued scrolling, finding more photographs: myself at various ages, always in clinical settings, always with that same serious expression. And then, abruptly, the images stopped. The next entry was dated 2015, when, according to the file, my memories had been "reconstructed." *Fin
Grace pov The pack house hummed with activity as preparations were underway for the coming arrangement with the Prisma Institute. In the midst of this controlled chaos, I sat alone in the small study off the main library, the flash drive Reid had given me resting on the desk before me. I had waite