Dawn’s POV
I stood there staring at Wayne, still feeling the echo of his plea in the night air.
I did not know what to do with those words, not after everything that had happened between us. My mind felt too crowded, too heavy,and too tired to even form a full thought.
“Wayne,” I said quietly, shaking my head. “I don’t have time for all this.”
He took one step forward. “Dawn, just wait—”
“No,” I cut him off before he could continue. “I said I don’t have time. I just want to go back to the pack house. That’s all.”
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as if trying to control himself. “It’s late,” he said, “and the woods are unpredictable. You shouldn’t walk alone.”
“I’m fine,” I replied. “There are patrol wolves outside. I’ll be safe.”
“Dawn, listen to me—”
“I don’t
