Night came heavy and restless.
The pack had withdrawn, the elders locked in debate, but Seraphine couldn’t sleep. The chamber felt too small for the truth sitting inside her chest.
If she stayed, Lucien lived.
If she left, he faded.
The weight of that choice pressed on her ribs until breathing hurt.
She rose quietly and stepped onto the balcony overlooking the forest. Moonlight poured over the trees, silver and unforgiving. Somewhere below, wolves moved guards pacing, lives orbiting around one man whose breath depended on her heartbeat.
A hand closed around the stone railing beside hers.
Lucien.
“You’re thinking of running,” he said softly.
She didn’t deny it. “I can’t be your oxygen.”
He turned toward her, eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. “I never asked you to be.”
“But y
