"Map," she replied simply. "To show where the thin places are. Where shadows can get through." Her tiny fingers adjusted a small white stone with remarkable precision. "This is us. The strong place where patterns hold tight." I joined them, my initial panic now channeled into the focused determina
Grace pov With Liam and I en route to Norway, the Fireside and Paw pack house had transformed into an impenetrable fortress. The alphas had recalled every available pack member from outlying territories, positioning them in concentric rings of defense around the central buildings. Elena worked tir
Alex pov While Reid coordinated emergency protocols, Elena knelt beside Sophia, her healer's senses attuned to the child's wellbeing. "Are you tired, little one? This connection with the equilibrium must be demanding." I watched my granddaughter with worry she was too little to be plagued by this
Alex pov The Balance doesn't like that," she stated matter-of-factly. "Trees belong in our patterns." The shadow figures turned their attention to Sophia, their featureless forms somehow conveying increased interest. "The child perceives the fundamental structures," they observed. "Her developme
Sophia giggled from within her protected circle, the sound startlingly childlike amidst the cosmic confrontation. "Mommy and Daddy are helping the balance. The patterns are getting stronger." Indeed, with each passing moment, reality itself seemed to solidify around the pack house and its grounds.
"I've never seen anything like this in all my research," Reid admitted, her scientific composure temporarily abandoned in the face of such unprecedented phenomena. "The equilibrium isn't just a cosmic force maintaining balance anymore. It's... evolving. Developing something akin to selective prefere
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
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
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