mille stood there, staring at the spot where Joffrey had disappeared, the echo of his retreating footsteps fadi

er was some kind of noble act? She clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms until the

t are you doi

urrying toward her. Hannah was small and quick, with a cascade of auburn curls and eyes t

d, relief flooding throug

. "I heard what happened," she said gently, reaching out to

her, her voice raw but steady. "Beli

rare anger. "He's a bastard,

e believing in the fated bond, the promise that she'd find someone who would see her for who

he clearing. "Let's get you out of here. We can

ling out into the night like nothing had happened, like her world hadn't just been turned upside

skin like a balm. She focused on the rhythm of her steps, the sound of the wind

ancient oaks. It was simple, cozy, with the faint glow of candles flickering through the windows. As

to Camille. "Sit," she commanded, her voic

ed as Hannah bustled around the kitchen, her movements quick and efficient

omile tea and handed one to Camille. "Drink,"

es, letting the silence stretch between them for a few moments before she spoke. "He

"You're not nothing, Camille. Joffrey is a fool. He's blinded

said, her voice breaking. "I've felt the bond since I was a child, drea

ce. "The bond might be fated, but it doesn't guarantee love. It doesn't guarante

ice. Hannah had always been the cheerful one, the peacemaker, but t

vulnerability she'd been holding back finally spilling over. "He

she said quietly. "You have more power than you realize. You're stronger than you kn

hope, but it was hard when everything she'd known had just crumbled bef

know if I can,

gesture that made Camille's heart ache with grat

crackling of the fire in the hearth. Camille sipped her tea, feeling

leapt into her throat. For a second, she thought it might be Joffrey, coming to f

re

ing to the door and yanking it open. "What

eyes glazed with drunken amusement. "I came to see our little rejected Luna," he slurred, h

king his view. "She doesn't need you

"Oh, come on, Hannah. Don't be so

ly. She met Derek's eyes, squaring her shou

Look at you," he taunted. "Growing a backbone already? May

face, but Camille stopped her. "No,

ittle omega. Here's a piece of advice: you should be grateful. Grateful he

gaze, unflinching. "You're wrong," she said quietly. "I'm so

he regained his composure. He let out a low, mocki

ered back into the night, leaving

ning to Camille with wide eyes. "What was t

burning bright in her chest. "That," she said slowly

a long while, she felt a s