ALLE
The silence stretches like a rubber band pulled too tight, ready to snap.
Winter takes a step forward, then another, his leather shoes barely making a sound against the wooden floor. Each movement is deliberate, controlled, predatory. The room shrinks with every inch he claims, until the air feels thick enough to choke on.
"You defended me today," I say, hating how my voice wavers slightly. I force steel into my tone. "In front of the entire council."
I speak before he does, my tone already sharp and accusatory.
He stops a few feet away, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body, can smell that intoxicating scent that makes my wolf whine traitorously.
"I did," he confirms, his voice neutral.
"Why?"
His jaw ticks. It's the only indication that my question b
