~Annalyn POV~
The bonds tugged hard that night, sharp pangs hitting my chest like warnings, making me pace the estate halls while Mara watched from the couch. "They're in trouble," I said, hand on my belly. "That patrol— I feel the chaos."
Mara nodded, their runes humming faintly. "Twin link's picking it up too. But the guys are tough— they'll handle it."
Minutes stretched like hours until the door burst open, Lucas stumbling in first, claws retracting, blood smeared on his shirt. Calix followed, knife sheathed but eyes wild. Matteo clutched his tablet, screen cracked, and Ezra brought up the rear, runes dimmed from overuse.
"What happened?" I rushed to Lucas, checking his wounds.
He winced but grinned. "Ambush in the highlands. Full pack hit us after we nabbed that message. Fought 'em off, but barely."
Calix wiped sweat from his brow. "Yeah, those wolves were vicious— teeth everywhere. We clawed through, though."
