The knock at the door came sharp and deliberate.

Theodore stiffened immediately, his wolf bristling. Xavier’s head turned toward Logan, suspicion already in his eyes. None of them spoke for a moment, as though each of them needed that single breath of silence to acknowledge what they all felt—that it could only be one person.

“Kia,” Theodore muttered, the name falling heavily from his lips.

Logan didn’t move at first. He had been expecting this, yet the reality of it still sent a ...