Chapter 230

** Paige’s POV ** Leo’s chest rises as he sucks in a breath. His fists are clenched at his sides. He looks like he’s on the verge of shifting, and I can almost see the war in him, duty versus love, control versus fear. “You’re not safe alone,” he says, his voice low now, dangerous. Poppy shakes her head. “I won’t be alone.” “Explain,” he frowns. “I’ll go to Annie first,” Poppy says. “She’s away. She’s safe. I can breathe there, and then… maybe I’ll travel. Then maybe I can figure out what I’m meant to do without everyone else’s expectations pressing on me.” Jake’s voice breaks. “I can come.” His words are soft and desperate. Poppy squeezes her eyes shut for a moment, like it physically hurts her to hear it. When she opens them again, she looks at him with so much love it nearly breaks me. “And that’s why you can’t,” she says. “Because you would give up everything for me. You’d follow me until there was nothing left of you. This is your pack; you need them as much as they need you.” Jak