The safe house had become our world, a fragile sanctuary carved out amid chaos. Outside, the city still burned in patches, the council’s remnants prowling like predators seeking to reclaim control. Inside, every corner was a line of defense, every hallway a potential battlefield, and every sound set my nerves on edge. Damian paced the main room, muscles coiled, eyes dark with concentration. He was always alert, always ready to strike, a predator wrapped in human form. I stayed close, pressing my hands to my stomach, feeling the twins shift. Their insistent movements reminded me of the stakes: this was no longer just about survival, it was about protecting the future. Chloe sat at her laptop, fingers moving rapidly across the keys. “They’re reorganizing,” she murmured. “Alpha squads, enforc
