Kian stared at the wedding ring in his palm, turning it over slowly, the metal warm now from how long he'd been holding it.
He hadn't moved from his study since Elena walked out of the pack hall. Vera had come to the door twice, asking softly if he was alright, and both times he'd told her he needed to be alone, his voice steadier than anything he actually felt inside. She hadn't pushed. She never pushed. Somehow, that made everything worse.
A knock came again, sharper this time. "Kian." Marcus's voice, low through the door. "We need to talk."
"Not now."
"Now," Marcus said, letting himself in without waiting for permission.
Kian closed his fist around the ring, shoving it into his pocket before Marcus could see it, though judging by the look on his Beta's face, he already knew exactly
