Seraphine's POV
The sun had only just slipped between the trees when Darius appeared in my doorway. He wasn't wearing armor—just a simple linen shirt and light trousers—and the moment he smiled, I knew: we were going out again today.
“Ready for a clearing tour?” he asked, like we were planning some childish mischief.
“If there’s butter at the end, for therapeutic purposes, then yes,” I shot back.
“We’ll skip the butter this time. There’s a lake instead,” he winked.
We went through the western gate and followed the forest path deeper in. The ground was soft, and the air was thick with the scent of warm earth and the promise of fresh water. My inner wolf was quiet—alert, but calm.
“How far?” I asked after we’d circled the third small hill.
“Two more turns. Few people come here. It’s a
