Chapter 102

** Paige’s POV ** Leo groans, his body twitching under the blanket. Poppy startles, her nails digging into her knees as her gaze flies to him. His head rolls weakly to the side; his eyes remain shut, but his hand twitches, reaching blindly toward her again. Poppy’s breath hitches. “Why does he keep…” “Because the bond doesn’t let go,” Callen says simply. Poppy squeezes her eyes shut, her whole body trembling. “This is too much. I can’t handle this.” “You don’t have to handle it all tonight,” I tell her, desperate to stop the rising panic in her voice. “Just breathe. One step at a time.” She hugs her knees tighter, whispering, “I had a plan. I was going to finish school. Get into vet training. Work with animals. Not… not be mated to some stranger who turns into one.” Her words sting, but not because she means them harshly. It’s because I know exactly what it feels like to have your life ripped away and rewritten without your consent. “You can still be that,” I say quietly. “Being part o