Arthur returned at dawn.
Silver knew before anyone told her.
The pack stirred differently that morning, the air sharpening like the moment before a blade kissed skin. Wolves lifted their heads as one, scenting the Alpha long before his boots crossed the boundary line. The forest itself seemed to lean inward, branches creaking, birds scattering as if making way.
Silver stood at her window, fingers curled around the stone sill, heart thudding too fast for someone who had sworn she wouldn’t let him do this to her again.
You promised yourself space, she reminded herself.
You promised yourself choice.
Her wolf stirred beneath her ribs, restless, alert, and unmistakably aware of him.
Arthur.
The gates opened, but she didn’t run to meet him and also did not follow the pull threading throu
