THIRD POV.
Selene hadn’t slept.
Not even for a second.
She had waited — first on the couch, then pacing across the living room, and finally posted beside her bedroom window like a desperate watchdog.
But no sound ever came.
No footsteps.
No door opening.
No Atlas returning to his room.
Night slowly bled into dawn, each silent hour tightening around her chest like a fist.
Where was he?
Where else could he possibly be?
A bitter answer formed before she could stop it. She swallowed hard, but it didn’t go away.
Her.
Of course… her.
Selene wrapped her arms around herself, nails digging into her skin, trying to keep her magic from igniting. Morning light spilled over the horizon, washing everything in soft gold — like the world hadn’t just collapsed in on her.
Her eyes drifted to
