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 first indication that something wasn't right came on an ordinary Tuesday morning in late autumn. I was loading Lucas into his car seat for our weekly library trip, chatting with my son about the storytime theme while Sophia dozed in her infant carrier. As I closed Lucas's door and mo
Grace pov Tell me exactly what happened," Liam requested, his voice low and controlled despite the tension evident in his posture. I described both incidents—the feeling of being watched at the house and the confirmed surveillance at the library, finishing with Miguel's recommendation to vary ou
Grace pov Stay inside with the children until security arrives," Elena instructed. "Keep your phone with you. I'll be there within the hour." By the time Liam's truck roared into the driveway fifteen minutes later, Miguel and Tessa were already establishing a defensive perimeter around the prope
"Temporary relocation would be safest," Elena suggested, though her tone indicated she anticipated resistance to this option. "Perhaps to Alexander Beth's property, which has more extensive security infrastructure from Alexander's overprotective days." Liam's arm tightened around Lucas, who had gr
Grace pov That's right," I confirmed, reaching to squeeze Lucas's small hand. "And we're going to have a special adventure, staying in different pack houses for a little while. Like a vacation, but we'll still do all our regular activities—preschool, library visits, everything that's important to
Grace pov The security rotation plan had been in effect for three weeks, the Matthews family moving between four different pack properties on an irregular schedule that made surveillance nearly impossible to maintain. I had adapted to the disruption with characteristic resilience, establishing por
I pushed deeper, my mind sifting through the fragments of truth revealing themselves. A wall in my vision began to crumble, showing what lay behind. "There's something else," I said, voice strained with effort. "Something coming. Something you're afraid of." Serena began to struggle against her
Grace pov I sat in the pack's conference room, my daughter asleep in the portable bassinet beside me. Three days had passed since the attack. Three days of heightened security, of pack members taking shifts outside our temporary quarters in the Alpha's compound, of Liam barely sleeping as he divid
I was on her in an instant, delivering a kick that sent her sprawling. The gun trained steadily on her head, and I approached. "Who sent you? What Council?" Her eyes, still glowing with werewolf power, narrowed. "The Lunar Council. The true authority. Your pack is nothing." A crash from outside
Liam pov I paced the confines of the panic room, my shoulders hunched with restrained energy. The call to our Alphas had been brief. Help was coming, but not soon enough for my liking. Four pack members were converging on our location, still fifteen minutes out. Warriors were also moving in. "St
The woman lunged just as the distant roar of a motorcycle engine cut through the night—Liam, coming home far earlier than expected. He bought a motorcycle so he could race home faster. "He will remember everything," I said, feeling the certainty of truth in my words. "And he'll remember what yo
Liam pov I fuck Grace for hours needing to feel her against my body as the thought of the Institute wanting her as well. Grace was a truth seer, and our daughter may have her gift. This scares me for her and Sophia because both are now targets. "I love you," I murmured to her sleeping form. I al
Grace pov They were targets because of what made them special—Sophia's dual nature, my perceptive abilities, the extraordinary bond that had survived even memory loss, and physical separation. Yet those same qualities provided the strength and resources to counter the threats they faced, creating
The absolute certainty in his voice flowed through our bond with warming force, his protective commitment unwavering despite the controlled expression of his wolf's aggression. I leaned into his strength even as I provided my own in return, our partnership reinforced rather than diminished by this n
Grace pov He knows," I said quietly, moving toward the door to meet my mate, recognizing through our bond the particular quality of protective rage that now flowed between them despite the physical distance. Liam entered the cabin with barely controlled fury evident in every line of his body, hi