Ryder scanned the room, his sharp gaze darting over the crowd until he finally spotted Kyra with Leslie. Relief flickered briefly in his chest, but it was quickly replaced by concern as he noticed her distant expression. He had felt the spike in her emotions earlier—something had happened—but she wasn’t letting him in. His jaw tightened as he recalled the brief glimpse he caught of Aleister dancing with her before she disappeared.
As Kyra and Leslie approached, Ryder stepped forward, his hand gently brushing her cheek. “You alright, love?” he asked, his voice soft but firm.
Kyra turned her face away, her eyes scanning the room as if avoiding his gaze. “I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with,” she replied, her tone cold and distant.
Ryder’s brows furrowed, a pang of hurt slicing through
