George's Pov
Morning came in cold and gray, which felt about right.
I hadn’t slept. Not even close. Every time I shut my eyes, the twin bond lit up like a raw nerve, Freya scared, hurting, forcing herself not to break. I couldn’t tell where she was, not even close, but I could feel her pain like it was sitting in my chest.
And it was wrecking me.
“You should’ve rested,” Evie said quietly, stepping up beside me with a canteen. She’d insisted on joining the search party, no matter how much I argued. My mate had a real talent for ignoring common sense.
“Couldn’t.” I took the water and drank without thinking. “The bond won’t let me. I can feel her, Evie. Her fear. Her pain. You don’t sleep through that.”
“You won’t help her if you collapse.” She touched my arm, firm but gentle. “You matt
