ASHVIN
She walked beside me, her scent filling the narrow corridor. It wrapped around my senses, grounding and intoxicating at the same time.
She was what I wanted.
She was who I wanted.
No one else.
Watching her these past days, seeing her flinch at every whisper, the fear lingering in her eyes, I realized something painful.
I had to do better.
I had to be better for her.
For my mate.
If I wanted her trust… I had to earn it.
As we reached the end of the corridor, I slowly eased my hand from hers and pushed open the stone door. Cool air rushed in as we stepped out into an open clearing beneath the night sky.
We walked to the center of the field where an old iron hatch was built into the ground.
I glanced back at her and offered a reassuring smile before pulling the door open an
