Marcus waited until Lucian’s breathing evened out.
The defeated Alpha still held the recovered bolt in one hand, fingers tight around it even in sleep.
Evelyn had offered duty.
Lucian had made it a promise.
Marcus knew the danger in confusing the two.
He also understood the temptation.
Across the outpost, Evelyn sat beneath the eastern window with her knife across one thigh. Dawn had not reached the shutters. The stove had burned low, leaving the room in ash-colored light.
Corporal Hayes slept on the lower bunk.
Evelyn’s field coat hung open over a dark wool shirt. One sleeve was stiff with dried snow. The other had been pushed above the bandage on her hand. Her braid had loosened, leaving red strands against the scar on her cheek.
The storm had weakened to a steady scrape over st
