Katie We pulled up to the huge, sprawling mansion, and my palms started sweating.
Aslow, creeping sensation crawled along the back of my neck.
Was it fear? Anxiety?
Mason pulled out my luggage while | got Stella in her stroller, and we made our way inside behind Xander and Zane.
The place was massive but cozy, with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and rich, dark wood everywhere | glanced at Mason. His face scrunched up as his eyes darted around the room.
âSo this is how the other half lives,â | could imagine him thinking.
But none of this surprised me.
In fact, it all felt eerily familiar.
The feeling Iâd had earlier. it was deja vu.
As Xander led us into a great room with a roaring fire, the sensation that I'd been there before got even stronger I Asharp pain stabbed behind my eyes, and | squeezed them shut.
My hand flew to my head, and | struggled to stand as an image swam to the front of my mind.
Xander and Zane coming to me in the night.
| was embarrassed, scared, excited.
âIt's time to mate,â they said.
They led me into a bedroom, my bedroom.
Distantly, | heard myself cry out.
The pain was too much.
The vision was too much.
What the hell was this?
| tried to open my eyes, to come back to the present, but | only fell further into darkness.
Zane Mason laid Katie down on the leather couch slowly.
She'd passed out but now seemed to be sleeping it off.
Xander and | stood watch while Mason stroked her hair.
Seeing Katie walking through the house and even now, sleeping there soundly, seemed so...right. So normal. Like this wasnât her first time here.
âYou feel it too, donât you?â | asked Xander silently.
Xander nodded. âShe's meant to be here.â
| sensed that, too, but it was impossible to explain why.
Blade paced around inside me, turning my stomach inside out.
He wanted to know that Katie was okay. He wanted to protect her.
Xander was clutching at his chest as he looked down at her, and | knew Hunter was restless, too.
âDoes this happen a lot?â Xander asked Mason.
Mason shook his head. âNo. But sheâs been through a lot today.â
âDoes she need anything?â | asked. âWe can get her some tea or-â
âI've got it,â Mason growled.
Stella stirred in her stroller, and a sudden pang of guilt overtook me.
What were we doing standing here, consumed with whether or not this woman we barely knew was okay, when our pups were here?
It had been days since weâd seen them, and weâd missed them every second.
| knew Lanie and Isaac were safe with Gabriela, but Xander and | couldnât help but worry. They were so young, and theyâd already lost so much.
| heard footsteps, and Xander and | ripped ourselves away from watching Katie.
Gabriela swept into the room holding Lanie, and Mindy was right behind her holding Isaac.
âHow are they?â Xander asked as soon as he laid eyes on the twins âThey're doing just...â Gabriela trailed off as her eyes traveled over our shoulders to Mason and Katie.
Gabrielaâs mouth dropped open in a horrified gasp, and all the color drained from her face.
She looked like sheâd seen a ghost.
When she spoke, her voice shook.
âWhat the hell are you doing here?â