ke''s POV


    Movement caught my eye as Sophia floated past with Jackson, practically glowing as she clung to his arm. My stomach dropped. Whatever bullshit story he''d spun, she''d swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. My daughter waspletely under his spell, and something told me she''d never listen to reason now


    Still, I didn''t regreting clean. At least I''d tried, instead of keeping quiet to keep


    the peace.


    I noticed Ava tense when she spotted Sophia, before forcing her attention back to Lucas. It hurt seeing these two women-who''d once huddled together facing death in that cer-now acting like strangers. Although Sophia had thrown Ava under the bus for Jackson, I caught the sh of worry in Ava''s eyes. Even betrayed, she still wanted to protect Sophia. That kind of loyalty after being hurt-it hit me why her disappointment in me cut so deep. She''d expected better.


    Ava suddenly stopped mid-sentence, tilting her head-the ssic "iing mindlink look. She said something to Lucas, who nodded and kept practicing while she ducked away to a quiet corner.


    I hung back, giving her space. We needed to talk about fixing what I''d broken, but I wouldn''t intrude on her private conversation.


    Ava''s POV


    E''s mindlink hit me like a jolt of caffeine. After the past few days-fighting with ke, Sarah selling the house, me losing my shit with everyone-my nerves were shot. I was starting to see that maybe I''d asked too much from ke. I wanted him to move mountains for my dad while ignoring the fact he had his own shit to deal with.


    "Back in five," I told Lucas. "Mindlinking in. Keep working that block-your left side''s still open."


    He nodded solemnly. "Got it, boss."


    I ducked behind a training dummy and closed my eyes, letting E''s familiar


    presence wash over me. Connecting with her felt like slipping into your favorite hoodie.


    "What''s the emergency?" Her thoughts came throughced with exhaustion. "Rough shift?" I asked.


    "The worst. Some entitled wolf tried Alpha-intimidating me into ''special service,'' then whined to management when I told him where to stick it. My boss reamed me out again."


    My blood boiled. "What a dick! I''m sorry you''re dealing with that garbage."


    ''Hazard of neutral zone work. Gets old though." She paused. "How''s the demon child? Still terrorizing you?"


    "Actually improving," I thought back with a sh of pride. "Morgan blood''s something else. But he''s not the problem... Sarah''s selling our house."


    E''s shock hit me like static electricity. "She''s WHAT? Why? That''s yourst foothold in Shadow Creek!*


    "Martha''s pulling strings." I couldn''t hide my bone-deep fatigue. "Convinced Sarah to sell and move us to Hayes territory, promising it''ll fast-track Dad''s protection rights. Total trap."


    Anger surged through our connection. "Those sneaky bastards nned this! And Sarah fell for it?"


    ''She''s desperate." My thoughts wobbled with emotion. "Dad''s been locked up forever, and word is he''s getting worse. She just wants to save him. Can''t really


    me her.


    I suddenly realized why I''d been so pissed at ke-I expected him to magically solve everything, and when he faced an impossible choice like a normal person, I couldn''t cut him the same ck.


    "So what now? You can''t seriously live in yes territory. Her worry came through like a warm nket.


    I know. The house is already sold. We''re out in days. If I bail, Sarah will


    understand, but... I can''t let her face those wolves alone. My thoughts were a tornado of confusion and fear.


    "Ava..." Her concern wrapped around me. ''Got a n?"


    I went quiet, our connection humming with raw emotion-fear, confusion, helplessness.


    "I don''t know, E. I really don''t. Can''t live with the Hayes pack, can''t abandon Sarah. We''re out of time and options... I just know I have to figure something out for Dad''s sake."


    "Listen up." E''s thoughts firmed. "I know you-always putting everyone else first while stomping your own feelings into the dirt. Sometimes you gotta put yourself first. Maybe it''s time to ask ckwood for help? You can''t let the Hayes n drag you back to their yground."


    After a pause: "If I still had my ce, you''d be moved in yesterday. But staying with Tiffany''splicated-girl gets anxiety attacks if I mention having friends over."


    "No worries. Just needed to vent." I sent back gratitude.


    "Whatever you decide, I''ve got your back. But remember-sometimes being strong means letting other people help you. ke disappointed you, but maybe you both need to see each other''s side better."


    Her words hit like a bucket of cold water. I''d been demanding ke understand my family situation whilepletely ignoring his position as a father.


    "Thanks, E. You always cut through my bullshit."


    We exchanged warm goodbye vibes before disconnecting. I opened my eyes, feeling like my head had cleared.


    I turned back toward Lucas but froze when I spotted ke watching me, those storm-blue eyes no longer cold but full of regret.


    "Hey..." My voice caught. "Aboutst night... I was a jerk. Shouldn''t haveid into you like that."


    ke''s eyebrows shot up, clearly not expecting me to apologize first. He stepped closer, still keeping respectful distance.


    ''I''m the one who owes you an apology," he said, his voice gravel-rough with sincerity. "You were right. I''ve been ying both sides-protecting Sc dragging my feet on your father''s case.


    hile


    His honesty knocked me sideways. Alpha Kings don''t admit mistakes, especially not to people beneath them. But ke wasn''t talking to me as an Alpha now -just as a man trying to fix what he''d broken.


    I bit my lip, words failing me.


    "I caught bits of your situation," ke said. "Sarah''s really selling the house? You''re moving to Hayes territory?"


    I nodded, feeling like my shoulders might cave from the weight. "Martha found the buyer, Sarah thinks it''ll help Dad-get me qualified for Blood Protection."


    ke''s eyes shed gold. "Pure Hayes maniption. They want to drag you back under their thumb.


    I sighed. "I don''t want to live there, but I can''t throw Sarah to the wolves. She''s already lost her husband-she can''t lose me too."


    We both went quiet, no longer angry-just two people staring at an impossible situation.


    "There''s another option, ke said finally.


    I looked up, meeting his gaze straight on. "What?"


    "Move into ckwood Manor with me."