Kiki stood there slack jawed, apparently digesting what Archer had said.

  “Rainbow says we need to make a memory bubble thing. And then we can all go back in time, and everything will be okay again!” Abi explained brightly.

  Kiki blinked, her brow furrowing. “A memory bubble? I’m not sure what exactly you’re talking about, or how it could help, for that matter.”

  Then, for a moment, Kiki brought her gaze to meet Alena’s eyes.

  Alena mouthed a single, silent word. Please.

  Before she could gauge Kiki’s response, Abi stepped forward, her stuffed unicorn clutched to her chest. “Rainbow says you can do it, Kiki. You can help us see what happened with the old lady a long time ago. And that will fix everything!”

  The fae hesitated, her gaze darting between the adults. “The old lady? What do you mean? I… I don’t know. Besides, meddling with time is dangerous. There could be consequences we can’t foresee.”

  “What old lady?” Archer asked as well, echoing the fae.

  “That’s all Rainbow is telling me. We need to see what the old lady did,” Abi implored.

  “Please, Kiki,” Alena begged, this time aloud, desperation edging into her voice. “If there’s even a chance it could help bring peace to Misty Vale, we have to try.”

  Kiki sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Right. Very well. Come inside, and I’ll see what I can find in my old tomes. Perhaps we can still make things right with this town.”

  As they gathered around Kiki’s cluttered workbench, the fae pored over ancient texts, her brow furrowed in concentration. Alena’s nerves thrummed with anticipation, her bear restless within her.

  What if this doesn’t work?

  It has to.

  What if we can’t change anything? She placed a hand over her still-flat stomach, drawing strength from the tiny life growing inside her.

  “Doesn’t it concern anyone else that we don’t even know what it is that we are supposed to correct?” Archer pointed out. But everyone was focused intently on Kiki, it seemed.

  “Ah, here it is,” Kiki murmured, tapping a yellowed page. “A memory bubble. It will allow us to observe the past, but not interact with it.”

  Abi clapped her hands, grinning. “See? I told you it’s a real thing!”

  Archer chuckled, ruffling his daughter’s hair. “All right, munchkin. You were right. But how is it going to help us heal the town?”

  “I don’t know.” Abi raised her shoulders in a shrug for emphasis. “One thing at a time, Daddy,” she added, again in that unnervingly adult way she could have about her.

  Archer laughed. “Of course, so sorry,”

  “Okay, so now what?” Alena asked.

  “Well, that depends,” Kiki said.

  Archer rolled his eyes. “Can you just speak plainly for once in your life?”

  Kiki levelled him with what amounted to a dirty look before addressing Abi.

  “Abi? Or, um, Rainbow?” she said hesitantly. “Who is this memory bubble for?”

  “For us and the dragons,” Abi stated simply, as if it were obvious. “Everyone needs to see what happened.”

  “Of course they do,” Archer agreed.

  “How is there gonna be peace unless everyone sees?” Abi wondered, apparently not sure her message was getting through.

  “Right, so I guess first we need to get the dragons,” Kiki finally relented, seemingly aware that no one else was moving. “You guys do that, and Abi and I can study up on memory bubbles,” she concluded.

  “And Rainbow, too!”

  “Well, duh,” Kiki said, without missing a beat.

  “Very well, I’ll talk to Zane,” Archer said, already turning toward the door. “We already have a sort of truce in place. And he needs to hear this. It changes our priorities a bit, I think—”

  “I’ll do it,” Alena interrupted.

  “What? I thought you didn’t want to—”

  “I changed my mind. I’m tired of all this not knowing, and he and I have… things to discuss,” she added, surprising even herself with her vehemence.

  Archer raised an eyebrow and seemed to consider for a moment before he nodded. “Very well, just tell him our priorities have changed. We need to do this memory bubble thing first, apparently. Then we’ll handle the Forsaken Riders.”

  “Got it,” she said as she immediately turned to head out.

  “You know where you are going?”

  “I’ll figure it out,” she said as she left.

  She hadn’t wanted to hear the details. She knew Archer had run into Zane, and that he had confirmed her story about the Riders. Beyond that, she didn’t really want to know. But at the same time, it felt wrong to keep the truth of his unborn child from him, even after what he’d said to her.

  The walk to Zane’s house felt simultaneously too short and endless, Alena’s nerves jangling with each step. It was common knowledge that his brothers and he had fancy houses on a fancy street. The fanciest street actually. A quick online search told her his exact address. She had actually wanted to walk there so she could clear her head a little. How would he react? Would he be angry to see her?

  You need to tell him about the baby. That’s it.

  Twin voices warred within her. One wondered why she was even walking over there. Hadn’t she heard him tell her off? But the other still clung to the hope that things were not as they seemed. Something had seemed off about that whole exchange they’d had in the street.

  That is just you holding on.

  But what if it wasn’t?

  Well, we are probably about to find out.

  She knocked on his door before she could lose her nerve, heart in her throat. Seconds ticked by, each one an eternity. And then he was there, those piercing blue eyes widening in shock.

  “Alena? What are you—”

  “We need to talk,” she blurted out, pushing past him into the house. “About everything.” Zane just stood there, confusion and hope on his face.

  “I thought… I mean, after what I said…” He moved toward her, arms outstretched.

  “Slow your roll, mister, I have things to tell you.” With that, he stopped abruptly. “And you need to hear it regardless. But don’t think I’m gonna forget about happened any time soon, okay? Not cool.”

  “Alena… I had to… Ghost, the biker, he threatened me. They know about us. And he’s been watching you. And I told Dice what we heard. Don’t you see? He used you as leverage to get me to back off. I had to push you away to keep you safe!”

  Alena had dared to hope, but now to finally know…

  “Zane,” she gasped, digesting his confession. “Couldn’t you have at least given me like a double wink or something?”

  “What?” The look of relief that had come over Zane faltered for a moment. “I just told you, I couldn’t risk it, Alena! I had to make him believe you meant nothing to me!”

  She should have been overjoyed, she knew, but she was surprised. She was a little pissed. And with her main fear resolved, she wasn’t going to let him off quite that easy.

  “Do you know how much that hurt? You let me think you hated me! And you said some pretty mean things, too!”

  Zane’s face went from relief to mildly vexed. “Do you think I enjoyed it?”

  “You were certainly very convincing!”

  “I had to be—to protect you!”

  All thoughts of telling him about her pregnancy were temporarily put on hold as she pressed her advantage a little. But then, with a start, she remembered the primary reason for her visit in the first place.

  “You are not off the hook yet, mister. But right now, Misty Vale needs you.”

  “What do you mean, Misty Vale needs me?” He paused from another attempt to pull her into an embrace. “What are you talking about?

  Tears stung Alena’s eyes, the knot in her chest loosening a bit, in spite of her attempts to put up a little resistance. Her resolve wavered, and she let him pull her in.

  Fine.

  Zane sighed as he felt her relax into his arms. Her own sigh joined his almost immediately. Tears of relief streamed down her face as he spoke.

  “I’m so sorry, Alena, but I didn’t know what else to do. I never wanted to hurt you. What’s happening?”

  Alena hastily tried to compose herself. She had to tell him. “Kiki and Rainbow—I mean, Abi… Zane, the thing I was—”

  “Kiki? What about her? And your niece?”

  “They are going to make a memory bubble, that’s what they call it. And Abi insists we need both bears and dragons to go in it to see something in the past. Something about an old lady that is going to help bring peace to the town. I don’t know anything else, really. But it’s important.”

  “A memory bubble?” he murmured.

  Alena took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. “Yes, that’s right, but… there’s something else I need to tell you—”

  But he was already moving, his mind clearly racing ahead. “We need to get Dash and Striker. Whatever it is, they need to be there, too. Maybe then they’ll finally take me seriously about the Riders.”

  “But Zane, I really need to—”

  “I know, I know. We’ll talk later, I promise.” He cupped her face, his eyes soft. “God, Alena, I was so lost. But now you’re here. I’m just so glad that we’re okay. That you’re okay. Everything else can wait.”

  Alena’s bear huffed in frustration. Tell him about cub! Mate needs to know!

  I’m trying! she thought back, exasperated. But Zane was already heading for the door, his hand wrapped around hers.

  She almost felt angry and then thought about it.

  He was right. They had time. What was important was that they were together. Besides, they did have a town to save.

  CHAPTER 23

  Zane’s mind raced as he and Alena hurried back to Kiki’s shop, their footsteps echoing through the quiet streets of Misty Vale. He still couldn’t quite believe that Dash and Striker had agreed to come along, to hear out this crazy plan about memory bubbles and time travel.

  Guess having your mate twist your arm works wonders, he thought wryly. I’ll have to thank Amelia and Ruby later.

  As they approached the shop, Zane’s dragon stirred within him, sensing the importance of the moment. Mate. Protect. The primal urges thrummed through him, tempered by a growing hope that maybe, just maybe, they’d found a way to bridge the gap between their clans at last.

  The bell above the door jangled as they stepped inside, the scent of incense and herbs washing over them. Zane took in the unlikely group gathered around Kiki’s cluttered worktable: Archer and Brandon, looking wary but determined; Abi, clutching her stuffed unicorn with a knowing smile; and Kiki herself, an unreadable expression on her face.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” Archer said, his eyebrows climbing as Dash and Striker filed in behind them. “Somebody should take a picture.”

  Dash snorted, instantly taking a fighting stance. “What the hell are they doing here?”

  Zane couldn’t help but notice that Smith had joined the bears, too.

  “Relax, supposedly this will help us to find some common ground. We don’t want to fight.”

  “Pretty tricky, Zane,” Striker said, turning to him.

  “Would you have come had I told you they would be here?” Zane asked.

  “No fucking way,” Striker answered as he eyed Brandon. “Not after the shit he’s accused us of.”

  Brandon was about to say something as he stepped forward, but Archer put up an arm to stop him.

  “Keep it cool, Brandon,” Smith said. “I didn’t come running over here just to get in another fight with them.”

  “Right,” Archer agreed. “Look, everybody just simmer down, okay? We are here at Kiki’s request… a neutral party. Let’s just see what she has to show us.”

  “Fine, but I can’t say I have high hopes here,” Striker grumbled, shifting uncomfortably.

  Brandon shrugged. “I am not expecting to be exchanging hugs any time soon, either, okay? But I am willing to give whatever this is a shot.”

  Zane had to admit, he was impressed so far with the bears’ willingness to put aside their differences, even temporarily. Maybe there was hope for Misty Vale after all.

  But before he could voice his thoughts, the shop door flew open once more, revealing none other than Byron Livingstone himself. Zane’s father cut an imposing figure, his silver hair and piercing blue eyes sweeping over the assembled group with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

  “How the hell did they manage that?” Dash stage-whispered to Striker.

  “I may have enlisted Amelia and Audrey’s help as well,” Zane replied under his breath.

  Byron cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him.

  “Let me make one thing abundantly clear,” he began, his voice a low, menacing rumble. “I am here only at the urging of my lovely mate and daughters-in-law. Only a fool dismisses the possibility of a peaceful resolution. But I am not what you would call ‘optimistic.’”

  He leveled a pointed glare at Zane, who fought the urge to squirm like an errant cub. Damn, that stare gets me every time.

  “And if there is even a modicum of trickery or deception,” Byron continued, “even a slip of a vibe that isn’t being direct and real, I will personally fry every last hair off those ursine hides—human witnesses and consequences be damned. Are we clear?”

  A tense silence descended over the room, broken only by Abi’s cheerful giggle. “You’re funny, Mr. Byron,” she said, skipping over to tug at the dragon patriarch’s hand. “But don’t worry. Rainbow says everything’s going to be just fine. Right, Rainbow?” She held up her stuffed unicorn, who seemed to nod in agreement.

  To Zane’s shock, Byron’s stern facade cracked, a bemused smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Far be it from me to question a unicorn’s wisdom,” he said dryly. “Very well. Let’s get on with this… memory bubble business.”

  Kiki clapped her hands, looking far too excited for Zane’s comfort. “Excellent! Now, if everyone could just join hands and form a circle around the worktable…”

  Zane reached for Alena’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as they moved into position. He could feel her nervous energy, the slight tremble of her fingers against his palm.

  It’s going to be okay, love, he thought fiercely. I won’t let anything happen to you.

  Zane took a deep breath, his dragon coiled and ready for whatever lay ahead.

  As Kiki began to chant in an ancient tongue, the air around them shimmered and warped, reality bending to the power of her magic.

  Hold on tight, Zane projected to Alena, feeling her grip tighten in response. No matter what we see, we’re in this together.

  The world fell away in a dizzying rush of light and sound, years and then decades blurring together as they hurtled through time itself. Zane’s last coherent thought before succumbing to the disorienting vortex was a fierce, unshakable conviction.

  For Alena, for our future… I’d brave a thousand memory bubbles. Bring it on, past. Let’s see what you’ve got.

  And with that, Zane surrendered to the pull of history, ready to face whatever revelations awaited them in the mists of times gone by. His dragon settled, too, content in the knowledge that wherever, whenever they landed, they’d have their mate by their side—and that was all that mattered.

  CHAPTER 24

  Alena held her breath as the world around them shimmered and warped, the memory bubble enveloping their group in a dizzying rush of light and sound. Her bear whimpered within her, unsettled by the strange sensation of hurtling through time itself.

  Protect cub, the primal instinct thrummed, even as Alena clutched Zane’s hand tighter, drawing strength from his solid presence.

  As the vortex settled, they found themselves standing in the heart of Misty Vale, the town both familiar and foreign. While much of the architecture was familiar, overall, this was a far quainter village than what stood back in their time. Alena gasped, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of the original Grand Lodge, resplendent and whole, its façade unmarred by the ravages of many seasons.

  “Whoa,” Dash breathed, his usual bravado replaced by awe. “This is some trippy shit.”

  Beside him, Striker nodded mutely, his gaze apparently fixed on the bustling streets.

  Alena couldn’t help but notice the air felt lighter. She imagined the bears and dragons mingled freely here. There was also an air of laughter that was distinctly missing in their own time.

  Archer let out a low whistle. “Hard to believe we were ever like this,” he mused, shaking his head. “All buddy-buddy, working together.”

  “Indeed,” Byron agreed, his voice gruff with emotion. “The difference is striking.”

  “And look, everyone isn’t staring into their phones,” Smith commented.

  “That evil is yet to befall Misty Vale as well, though,” Byron, of all people, replied.

  Kiki cleared her throat, drawing their attention. “The memory bubble will show us the key events that led to the fracturing of this unity,” she explained, her expression somber. “Prepare yourselves, as I get the feeling that what we’re about to witness may be difficult to process.”

  Alena’s stomach twisted with apprehension, her bear pacing restlessly within her. She glanced at Abi, who stood calmly beside her adoptive mother, Rainbow clutched to her chest. The little girl caught her eye and smiled, a picture of serenity amidst the rising tension.

  As if on cue, the scene before them shifted, the colors bleeding together in a dizzying swirl before coalescing into a new setting. They found themselves in a dimly lit room, the air thick with the cloying scent of incense and dark magic. In the center, an old woman hunched over an ancient leather-bound volume of some sort, her face twisted in grief and rage.

  Alena almost gagged at the fetid air.

  “That’s Henry’s grandmother… the old lady,” Kiki murmured, her brow furrowed with pain. “It was my fault her grandson, my poor Henry, went up to Widow’s Peak that day to duel with my dragon lover. My fault he died. It’s what I told you. This is the woman who came to me.”