The waiting was the worst part.
Not the fear—fear sharpens you, gives you edges to hold onto.
Not the guilt—guilt was a constant ache now, something I breathed through like cold air.
It was the waiting.
Days passed in Polaris like stretched wire, every hour humming with the promise of something snapping. Kael didn’t leave my side unless he had to. Nova barely slept. Lyra’s magic circled the city like a warded breath. Calen trained until his knuckles split, then taped them and kept on going.
And Orion was gone.
When he finally returned, it was just before dawn.
I felt him before I saw him—something in the pack shifted, like a low note struck deep underground. Kael was on his feet instantly, already moving before the knock sounded. I followed, bare feet silent on stone, heart in my th
