WILLOW'S POV.
For a long moment, I stood alone on the ridge, letting the quiet swallow me, but it did little to calm the storm inside.
I thought he had gone completely when I heard footsteps again behind me.
Turning, I saw Atlas walking back, his expression unreadable.
“Delta,” he said simply when our eyes met.
I straightened automatically, though I couldn’t quite find my voice at first. “Alpha.”
He stopped a few paces away.
“I wanted to let you know,” he began, “that my men and I will be leaving for Obsidian Crescent shortly — in a few minutes, actually.”
My brows furrowed.
He continued, his voice cold. “I understand we were meant to depart together, but something urgent came up back home. I need to return ahead of schedule.”
I forced myself to focus on his words, not the sound
