The storm just kept getting worse.
Thunder rattled on and on above Silver Crest, and rain slammed the windows so hard it was like the whole mansion was under siege. The mountains beyond the glass—gone, swallowed by a wall of night and mist. Out there, the world seemed endless. Cold, too.
Inside, in that war chamber, silence settled between Liana and Kael like a weight neither could lift.
His confession hung in the air.
“You became the most important thing in my world.”
The mate bond throbbed after that. It almost hurt.
Too blunt. Too raw.
Kael never let himself look weak—especially not like this.
But tonight? He looked worn out, like holding in the truth had chewed him up.
Liana stood by the strategy table, eyes locked on him. Lightning flashed, bright and sharp, painting him silv
