Page 72 of Echoes From the Void

Lucia snorts, her sketches finally showing something other than corruption. “And then?”

“Then we do what Martinez shadows do best.” I meet each of their eyes, seeing Mom’s determination reflected back. “We protect our own. We stop this corruption from spreading. We finish what Mom started.”

“Together,” Liliana adds, her young voice carrying ancient certainty.

“Together,” we echo, our shadows merging into something powerful. Something ready.

Through our various bonds—pack and family and shadow itself—I feel their resolve. Their grief. Their love.

Sometimes family is accepting painful truths.

Sometimes it’s protecting what remains.

Sometimes it’s understanding that Mom’s greatest gift wasn’t her training—it was preparing us to face the hardest choice.

“Also,” I add, finally dealing with the burning pancakes, “we should probably warn Matteo that family dinners are about to get a lot more interesting.”

Five sets of shadows ripple with dark laughter, and for a moment—just a moment—I let myself believe we’re ready for what’s coming.

But through the pack bonds, I feel Frankie and Finn’s twin-sparked warning: the void isn’t just calling anymore.

It’s hunting.

Chapter 24

Frankie

I waketo pancakes and coffee, but it’s the steady thrum of pack bonds that truly rouses me. Matteo’s hands slide around my waist, drawing me back against him, and his mating mark pulses on my neck with shadow energy. Every point of contact grounds me in this strange new reality where I’m allowed to feel safe. Where I’m allowed to be loved.

The domesticity of it all feels foreign—dangerous in its perfection. My shadows curl restlessly beneath my skin, unused to peace, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

As if summoned by my unease, the door crashes open with unnecessary flourish.

Leo stands in the doorway, radiating smug satisfaction as he balances a loaded breakfast tray. His shadows dance playfully around him, reaching for mine in greeting.

My traitor stomach growls at the scent of fresh pancakes, giving away my wakefulness.

“I hope you two are naked under there,” Leo announces with zero shame, kicking the door shut. He sets the tray down and yanks away our blanket with predatory grace.

“Do you want me to kill him?” Matteo rumbles against my neck, his voice sleep-rough but threaded with affection. Hisarms tighten possessively around me, shadows rising to tangle with Leo’s.

“You’d never,” I yawn, opening my eyes to find Leo’s heated gaze fixed on us. The want in his expression sends electricity down my spine.

“Fucking beautiful sight,” Leo purrs, dropping onto the bed with fluid grace. His essence reaches for us both, shadow-warm and inviting. “I want to join.”

I roll my eyes despite the warmth blooming in my chest. “You’re incorrigible,” I mutter, but I don’t stop him from settling beside me, his body radiating heat.

Behind me, Matteo groans, his arm tightening possessively. “I thought we agreed on boundaries.” But his shadows betray him, reaching to caress Leo’s in greeting.

“Boundaries are for humans, darling.” Leo traces a finger along my collarbone, leaving trails of shadow essence in its wake. “We’re pack now.”

The word “pack” sends a shiver through our shared bonds, a reminder of how much has changed. I’m no longer just Frankie, the girl fighting to survive college and life. I’m something more now—something ancient and powerful that hums beneath my skin.

“Speaking of pack,” I say, propping myself up, hyperaware of being caught between their heat. “We should probably talk about what happens next. Shadow Locke isn’t going to wait forever.”

Leo’s playful energy dims slightly, shadows curling closer to his skin. “True. But first, pancakes.” His grin returns, though not quite reaching his eyes. “You can’t face destiny on an empty stomach.”

My stomach growls again in agreement. Matteo chuckles, the sound vibrating through me as his shadows caress my bare skin. “Food first, then destiny.”

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