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The female was equally filthy, dressed in pants and a tunic. Her red curls were wild with frizz and leaves. “Fiona Briggs, humbly at your service, My Lady.”

“That’s more like it.” Fallon stood, tucking the fur tight around me. “Call off the others before they do something they’ll regret.”

Fiona promptly took off towards the cabin without a word. I only hoped it wasn’t too late.

“Levi, I need you to carry my friend back to the cabin. Can you do that?”

“Yes, My Lady. It would be my honor.”

“Treat her with the utmost care… as though your life depends on it.” Fallon smiled. “Because it does.”

“Is she sick with?—”

“What she’s sick with is none of your concern.”

Levi squatted by my side and gently scooped me into his arms. He smelled as bad as he looked. Though to be fair, they did say I smelled like death, I guess we were both a bit fragrant.

“Nice to meet you, Levi.” I struggled to get the words out.

They were barely a whisper. “My name is Michaela. Please, don’t fear me.

” The surging adrenaline began to subside and take with it all the strength I had left.

I could no longer hold my head up and it lolled against his chest. “I’m not contagious. ”

I felt him breathe a sigh of relief as the tension in his arms softened and he headed toward the cabin.

“Mic! Why is there blood on her neck? Give her to me now!” Lu’s voice jolted me awake. I must’ve drifted off.

“You’re not bringing a sick one in here, are you?” a foreign voice called from behind me.

“Cole,” Levi warned. I felt him shake his head no in a silent plea to stop.

“Fuck the Divine, she’s on death's doorstep.” Another strange voice added to the melee. “You can’t bring her in here.”

“You will shut your fucking mouth before I shut it for you,” Luca snapped. “This isn’t your home. We don’t owe you hospitality. One more word and I’ll dispose of you all.”

“Sir,” Levi addressed Lucius. “She’s losing color quickly.” He passed me gently into Lu’s arms, and he rushed me into the cabin.

“I’ve got you, Dove. We’re gonna make you better now. Hang on a few more minutes. Luca! We need you too. She’s severely depleted.”

My mind was too tired for thoughts. Every limb felt as though it was a dead weight dragging me down. Begging me to rest. My body wanted nothing more than to sleep. My eyes continued to close, despite the effort to keep them open.

Lu laid me on the bed, ripped off his shirt.

The mattress dipped with his weight as he climbed in beside me.

He pressed my hand to his heart. Nico joined on the other side, mimicking his brother.

Luca climbed in at the foot of the bed, pulling off my shoes and placing my feet against his warm chest.

Energy poured into my broken body, casting the room in a soft blue glow.

I’d been through this before—but never with all three of them at once.

The soothing energy shifted into an intense pulsing.

Rhythmic whooshing filled my ears. Brilliant flashes of the forest flooded my mind’s eye.

Tufts of fur in vibrant copper, russet, and chestnut so real I swear I could feel it brushing through my fingertips.

Then the room tilted, catapulting me into a haze of heat and shadow.

Too vivid to be a dream. Too strange to be real.

I woke, exhaustion still clouding my mind.

The room was quiet save for the crackling warmth of a fire burning nearby.

Richly colored logs made up the walls, wrapping the room in their cozy, rustic arms. I rolled to my side and watched in awe as Luca sat on the floor in front of the hearth.

His bare back, decorated with sprawling tattoos, flexed in the most alluring way as he wound his hair into a topknot.

I’d been awake all of a few minutes, and already my stomach was filled with flitting butterflies.

Luca heaved a heavy sigh before turning back to find me staring sleepily at him. “Mic,” he said softly, rushing to my side. “There you are. I’ve missed those beautiful brown eyes.” He reached for my face, tucking my hair behind my ear. “How are you feeling?”

I yawned, stretching my sore limbs. “I’m sleepy, but feeling…” I paused, trying to find the words to describe it. “Whole.”

He smiled, caressing my face. “Can I get you something to eat? You’ve been out for a whole day.”

“Do we have anything other than fish?”

Luca chuckled. “How about some berries?”

“That sounds lovely, thank you.”

He spun around, calling out to the others as he walked out of the room. “Guys! She’s awake!”

I had but a minute to myself before Lu and Nico came barreling into the room.

“Michaela?”

“Dove!”

“Good morning? I think?”

“It doesn’t matter. You’ve been asleep for quite a while.” Lu helped sit me up, stuffing large pillows behind my back.

“How are you feeling, little bird? You gave us all quite a scare.” Nico took a seat on the edge of the bed.

“I’m still tired, but…” I looked down at my hands, flexing the stiff joints. My color was back to its normal pasty, pale pink. No signs of blue or grey anywhere. “I’m feeling like myself again. Thank you all for saving me.”

“My lady requested berries.” Luca returned with a large bowl of bright yellow-orange berries and placed it in my lap.

“Slowly,” Lu cautioned. “Your body’s been through a lot.”

I popped one in my mouth and was treated to a delightfully refreshing burst of sweet, tangy flavor. “Mmm, these are delicious.”

“Salmonberries,” Luca blurted, a smile plastered to his face. “They’re my favorite.”

“If you’re done gushing about the salmonberries, I’d like to say hello.” Fallon peeked her head over Luca’s shoulder. “How are you feeling, Michaela?”

“Better,” I mumbled between berries. “Are we alone?” I asked, vaguely recalling the unwanted guests we found upon arrival.

“Levi and the others are in the living room,” Fallon huffed. “Nico’s refused to send them away.”

“They could prove to be useful allies,” Nico chided.

“Or they could be playing us to get in good with Johan,” Lucius grumbled. “If you ask me, they’re as sly as snakes in the grass.”

“Fallon, could you please shut the door?” I swallowed hard, forcing down the rising anxiety at the back of my throat. “I have something to share with the family.”

Her brows drew together, and her head tilted slightly. “Sure. Is everything okay?”

The room fell silent. Every Bruin had their eyes glued to me. Lucius grabbed my hand. “What is it, Dove?”

“While I was unconscious, I had the most vivid dream.” I shook my head, trying to clear the unease taking hold of my thoughts.

They were going to think I was delusional.

“I dreamt of Hunter. Only it was as though he was really there. I could feel him with me. Not like I knew he was there—I could actually feel his presence. He’s imprisoned back at Mathenholm. He told me to give you all a message.”

The room remained silent as the Bruins waited with bated breath.

“He said, ‘You should leave Hiraeth now, before it’s too late. Take our girl back to Neverland and live out the lives you’ve been destined to have. Do it for us.’”