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Victor nodded once, and when Mo’s hand reached over Zack’s chest to clasp his, he whispered, “Can I say it now?”

Mo’s smile was huge.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Mohadn'tleftZack'sbedside in over twenty-four hours since they'd brought him home. The journey back to Hunter's Creek had been tense, with Riley monitoring Zack's vitals constantly while Asher drove like a man possessed. Daniel had to stay behind to clean up the mess. Now, sitting in the soft lamplight of their bedroom, Mo watched the steady rise and fall of Zack's chest with profound gratitude.

"Any change?" Victor asked quietly as he entered with a tray of food and fresh coffee.

Mo shook his head. "Still sleeping, but Riley says that's normal. His body is healing." He accepted the mug Victor offered, breathing in the rich aroma. "The bond feels stronger though. Don't you think?"

Victor nodded, setting the tray down before coming to stand behind Mo, his hands gently massaging Mo's tense shoulders. "Much stronger. And the baby's heartbeat is steady."

The word "baby" still sent a shock through Mo. Their child—all three of them connected in this miracle none of them had anticipated. Riley had confirmed it: Zack was indeed pregnant, the embryo developing at an accelerated rate even for a shifter due to the drugs Pearson's doctors had administered.

"Riley says the drugs they gave him to speed up the pregnancy have mostly worn off," Mo said, leaning back into Victor's touch. "The baby's development should return to a more normal pace now."

"Good," Victor murmured, bending to press a kiss to the top of Mo's head. "You should rest too. You've barely slept, but the car bringing Khloe will be here in a few minutes."

Mo knew now Victor was here he could safely spend a few minutes with his sister. "I will. Soon." Mo was torn, desperate to see Khloe, but hating to leave Zack, not when every moment of Zack's steady breathing felt like a gift they'd nearly lost. He inhaled a sob and pressed his lips together.

"Breathe," Victor murmured, his thumb stroking reassuring circles on Mo's hand. "She's safe now. They both are."

Mo nodded, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. He'd spent so many months searching, hoping, praying—and now his sister was minutes away from being back in his arms.

Five minutes later, Mo and Riley were stood on the front porch as a minivan drew to a halt. The vehicle door opened, and Daniel stepped out first, followed a moment later by a slender figure Mo hadn’t seen in way too many years.

Khloe.

She looked thinner than Mo remembered, her once-vibrant curls now cut short against her head. But her eyes—their mother's eyes—were the same, widening as they landed on him.

"Mo?" Her voice was barely audible across the distance between them.

Mo was moving before he realized it, racing down the steps and across the gravel. Khloe broke into a run at the same moment, and they collided in the middle, arms wrapping around each other with desperate strength.

"You found me," Khloe sobbed against his shoulder, her entire body trembling. "You actually found me."

"I never stopped looking," Mo choked out, tears streaming freely down his face as he held his sister tight, afraid she might disappear if he loosened his grip even slightly. "Not for one second."

They stood like that for what seemed like forever, clinging to each other as years of fear and separation poured out in shared tears. Finally, Khloe pulled back just enough to look at Mo's face, her hands coming up to frame his cheeks. "You look different," she said, studying him with a teary smile. "Stronger."

Mo laughed softly. "A lot has happened."

"Daniel told me some of it," Khloe said, her expression sobering. "About the shifters, about what Pearson was doing." She shuddered. "We didn’t understand. We thought at first it was trafficking.” Her eyes filled. “I’ve been so stupid.” Mo knew she meant with Rigor and her rebelling against their asshole father.

“Hush, it’s okay. You’re safe now.”

She sniffed. “Daniel told us about your mate.”

"Mates," Mo corrected gently. "Two of them. And yes, Zack was...hurt badly. But he's recovering."

Mo looked up as a second young woman stepped out of the car but held back shyly. Mo glanced at her then back to Khloe. Khloe extended her arm, and the young woman ran to her.

“Mo, this is Honey. She was taken by Pearson as well, and well, we’re together.”

Mo beamed and opened his arms to include Honey as well, thrilled for his sister. Asher came over and took Khloe’s bag. “Let’s get you inside and I’ll show you two to your room.”

“We’ll talk later,” Mo promised. Khloe nodded.