Ava’s POV
We were released and left the Council chamber.
“Three days!!” the elders’ ultimatum echoed in my mind. I couldn’t lift my gaze from the floor, not even to look at Steve. I was drowning in hopelessness, like I was truly caught in a whirlwind of doubt.
I was so wrapped up in my head that I flinched when Steve rested a hand lightly on my shoulder.
“We’ll make it through this, Ava. You’ve got to have faith,” he said, his tone steady yet resolute.
I didn’t respond right away. I just kept walking. When we hit a bend in the corridor, we turned it without a word.
Halfway along the passage, I finally murmured, “Last night was supposed to be my second mating ceremony with Liam. Now, I can’t picture any path forward for us…”
“Don’t talk like that, Ava,” Steve interrupted, turning
