AVA GOBSON’S POV
I woke up slowly realizing that I was not in pain and not in panic, but aware in a way that felt unfamiliar. My wolf was awake. Not just stirring like she usually did, as an omega but she was awake-awake. Fully present and alert and strong.
That alone made my chest loosen. For years she had felt muted, distant, like she was trapped behind me. Now she was right there with me, pressed close to my skin, breathing in sync with my lungs. Her presence steadied me immediately, grounded me in my body again. I hadn’t realized how afraid I’d been that she might not come back fully, that something inside me had cracked permanently when I passed out. Feeling her now told me I wasn’t broken. Not yet.
I inhaled and realized the room didn’t smell like mine, It was Damien’s. His bed. H
