NATHAN’S POV
She barely made it through the door. The moment we stepped inside, her body gave in. Not completely…but enough for me to panic.
Her grip on me tightened like I was the only thing holding her upright, her breathing uneven, her weight leaning into me in a way that wasn’t just exhaustion. It was something deeper, something wrong.
“Elodie—”
“I am fine,” she whispered.
I knew that was a lie but I didn’t argue. Didn’t waste time calling it out.
Instead, I guided her further inside, one arm steady around her as I moved her toward the nearest seat, but she didn’t sit. Her knees buckled but I caught her before she could fall.
That was when it hit me. This wasn’t just the bond reacting.
This was targeted, deliberate. My jaw tightened as I pulled her closer, my hand moving to her
