hite sheets. Lindsay stirred, slowly opening her eyes to the unfamiliar ceiling. For a brief se

. The

reached up tentatively, fingers brushing a

re aw

turned her head slightly to see her friend curled in a chair, d

ndsay asked, h

said, standing up to pour her a glass of water. "

held the glass for her. She sipped slow

a beat, though she wasn't s

a thin line. "He hasn't ca

e fading but her eyes calm. "

he bed, brushing a stray hair from Lindsay's forehead. "Yo

Lindsay murmured.

ctors spoke optimistically. Every morning, Maria arrived with flowers or a silly magazine. Eac

e and the ward was quiet, Lindsay lay awak

he'd made her laugh once, the way he used to brush a kiss against her temple

dside. No return address. Just her na

irst and handed

nfolded i

orry for everything. I'll explain when I return, but it

igna

romi

etting it on the bedside table. "No

oftened. "No.

ntly against the window

small flicker of peace stirring in her chest.

ime in a long time,

moving f

. The tension hung in the air li

es burned low, casting flickering shadows against the stone wal

aid, voice low but firm. "Brandon has b

pled throug

minded, though even he sounded tired. "

es his place beside him and claims the seat o

hat's happening. She's playing him. But the more we pus

ollowed h

ck. "We can't let him bring her into the heart

Mara said bitterly. "Whe

exchanged h

id after a pause. "Call a formal t

ned. "We risk dividing the pack. Some

voice hardened. "We watch him te

silence

cross the hills, carried by the wind. It

er heart sinking. "He'll come ba

weight of her word

he firelight, something

edge of a forest, staring up at the moon, una

bsence had left a hole e

re balanced on

ain began to fall, no one k

, her eyes fixed on the rain streaming down the glass. Each drop traced a winding path,

distance would dull the sharp edges of betrayal. But

htly, her phone resting on her lap. A message lit up

read it. She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly, feeling th

pping from his hair as he scrolled through his phone. His lips pressed int

g them over,"

aint smile playing on her lips. "I told you they

s phone into his pocket.

e they accept me, everything else will fall i

rrent he couldn't name. Every step closer to Kylie felt

aining yard, eyes scanning the shadows. Row

ounger wolves want to challenge him t

nt. "He won't come back empty-hande

ted. "You th

ips tightened.

for a brief second. And there-standing just beyond the bou

faded, the fi

alarm flashing in his

Mara said

as though something unseen had passed through her. Her fing

, Kylie stood barefoot in the clearing, a st

rally as she whispered

ng was