By the time I reached the house, my legs felt heavier than usual, not tired from walking, but from carrying the weight of everything Beta Luca had just revealed.
I stood by the front door for a moment, staring down at the handle. That’s when I felt it, his presence behind me. Without turning, I already knew. Aiden.
My breath caught.
Every part of me wanted to turn, smile, say something soft like “Let’s go in together.”
But then I remembered how many times I’d reached for him lately and come back empty.
So this time, I didn’t.
I opened the door and walked in alone. Left the door slightly ajar.
I heard it click shut behind me a few seconds later.
Neither of us said a word.
Aiden headed straight for the couch and sank into it like gravity had a personal grudge against him. Elbows on
