Xavier
The lake was still.
Its surface shimmered like glass under the rising sun, soft ripples dancing where the wind kissed the water. I sat on the edge of the bank, elbows on my knees, eyes locked on the reflection of the sky. The blood on my hands had long since washed away, but I could still feel it warm, thick, and damning.
Reeve’s grave was far behind me now.
But the pain hadn’t left.
Neither had the fire in my chest.
I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly. Ryder, my wolf, was quiet. For the first time in days, maybe weeks, he wasn’t growling or snarling. He wasn’t raging about revenge or justice or betrayal.
He was still.
Silent.
Like he didn’t know what to say either.
“She's our mate,” I murmured, voice barely above the wind.
Ryder stirred. “Yes.”
“She was... Seraphina. My
