The cost did not come from Gregory.
It did not come from the Lycan Court.
It came from the silence between my sons.
It was subtle at first.
Ash grew quieter.
Not withdrawn.
Not depressed.
Just... distant.
His prophetic dreams had slowed since the Vera rescue. The Alpha Voice no longer flared accidentally. His training at the Academy was going well. His instructors praised his discipline.
Too well.
I noticed it during breakfast.
Ryder was animated, describing a new empathic control exercise he’d mastered. Ash nodded politely, chewing slowly, eyes somewhere far away.
“You’re quiet this morning,” I said gently.
“I’m thinking.”
“About?”
“About how much everything depends on us.”
The words froze something in my chest.
“Us?”
“Me and Ryder.”
I glanced at Ezra across the table.
