ATLAS' POV.
I stepped outside into the evening. The sun was already going down.
“You heading out alone?” Ethan’s voice broke through my thoughts.
I glanced back. He was stepping beside me, hands shoved in his jacket pockets, moving like he owned the night.
“Not really, just going for a walk,” I said, my voice low and tired. “You coming, or just following me like a shadow?”
He smirked. “Maybe both. Don’t worry—I don’t intend to interfere with your private thoughts about… we both know exactly who.” He wiggled his brow.
I rolled my eyes, feeling a flicker of annoyance. “You’re lucky I tolerate you, Ethan.”
“Lucky?” he teased, voice easy. "I'm not so sure about that word, alpha. But let's not go into that, shall we?”
I snorted, keeping my eyes on the path. “Funny.”
We walked in silenc
