Fractured by N.O Darling

Chapter 299

**Josie’s POV **

+25 BONUS

Luke wakes us up in the best way possible. He’s found Harper, and she’ll be coming home soon. I can already feel the excitement bubbling inside me as I pace the kitchen, imagining the moment when I can finally wrap my arms around her. The thought that she is safe fills me with overwhelming joy, and I can’t wait to see her again.

Axel informs Raff, who arranges to have Archie’s parents brought here. I expect them to be a little hostile towards us because it’s our fault that Archie was lost in the first place, but when they arrive they just seem to be reviled and as anxious as the rest of us.

It has been less than an hour since Luke confirmed he had Harper, but it feels like a lifetime. The anticipation is killing me and the air feels thick with tension.

Mason is no better. He’s a prolific pacer at the best of times Now I’m worried he’s going to pass out from exhaustion before she even arrives at this rate.

Theo is sitting at the kitchen table bouncing his knee and Axel is resting his head in his hands. Deacon

is the only one of us that is not showing any outward signs that give away his emotions, but I can feel he is just as keyed up as the rest of us.

The last weeks have been a chaotic mess of frantic searches, desperate pleas and unanswered prayers, until now. We have barely spoken since Luke gave us the news.

I can barely see past the haze of my own thoughts and tear–blurred eyes. There are so many questions running through my mind. How is she? What has she been through? Will she need healing? Some therapy? The uncertainty

gnaws at me.

hear the most beautiful sound in the world and my heart skips a beat. I turn to see my daughter running towards me

enclosing us in the biggest of hugs. A thousand unspoken words pass between us and my heart feels as though it is going to burst

look at you,” I say pulling back to

her bright eyes now seem shadowed as if they’ve seen too much, and she looks more mature in a way that only happens with life experiences. I hear my

I pull her towards me again, kissing the top of

you are here and you are safe. Just don’t ever do something like that again. We would have come with you to get Dillon if you’d told us. We had no idea

mind link,

ever want to let any of them go again. I want

says with an exasperated laugh once he has had a moment

13

Cluster 209

happened?” Theo asks.

I could think of to say,”

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blows out a breaths and shakes his head. “Oh come on, give us the full

spent almost an hour dodging: Mandy’s advances and making up excuses to delay their ‘bonding. Both he and Harper say Mandy is wild and kind of scary. I have a feeling I’ll get more in–depth retelling from Luke later. He seems a little spooked

over to see Archie is in a similar situation to Harper, is parents surrounding

the floor in the hall, slumped against the wall and looking a worrying shade

gasp, scrambling to my feet to get

he

voice sounding as weak

taking his hand with tear–filled eyes. He is not in a good way. “Let’s get him on the couch,” Deacon says, helping my dad up and porting him to