The morning after Gage’s breakthrough felt almost peaceful.
The forest was quiet again. No shadows. No strange whispers. Just the sound of wind through the trees and the soft hum of life returning.
I stood on the porch of the packhouse, letting the sunlight touch my face. The bond between Asher and me was calm, warm, steady like a heartbeat under my skin. His scent drifted close before I felt his arms wrap around my waist from behind.
“You’re up early.” He murmured against my neck.
I leaned back into his chest. “Couldn’t sleep. My mind won’t stop spinning.”
He kissed my shoulder, slow and soft. “That’s because you try to fix everything at once.”
I turned in his arms. “Someone has to. Gage might be stable, but the guardian’s power—”
“—is still out there.” He finished. “For now, we re
