Kora’s POV
The night was restless. Edward and I barely slept. Even when his arm was around me and his warmth pressed against my back, my mind wouldn’t quiet. Aaron’s voice lingered like smoke I couldn’t clear from my lungs. The weight of Edward’s words haunted me too—we strike first.
I kept turning it over in my head. What would that mean? What would it cost?
By dawn, when pale light crept through the windows, I gave up on sleep altogether. I slipped out of bed quietly, pulling on my cloak before heading toward the balcony. The air outside was sharp and cold, smelling of pine and ash. Below, the pack compound stirred slowly to life—wolves moving about their duties, warriors switching shifts at the gates.
From up here, it almost looked peaceful. Almost. But I knew better. Everyone was t
