Elena POV
The first thing I noticed was the warmth—so deep and all-encompassing, like I was wrapped up in the coziest blanket. The fear, the anger, the bone-deep exhaustion—it was all slipping away, leaving behind a soothing calm. I snuggled deeper into the warmth, not wanting to break the moment by opening my eyes.
I knew this feeling. I remembered it from before, when Ryder’s wolf had healed me last time I passed out in the woods. There was no doubt it was him now, his wolf cradling me, taking away all the hurt.
“You see?” Elise’s voice broke through the haze in my mind, calm and sure. “Ryder’s wolf has the ability to heal you. He’s done it twice now. Only mates have that power, to heal and calm each other, just like Celia brought Zach back from the edge. The fact that Ryder’s wolf co
