A storm of emotions swirled within me—shock, denial, confusion, understanding, and finally, white-hot anger. They tore through me, twisting my insides and setting my senses on fire. The plate I held slipped from my trembling fingers, clattering against the counter. My skin stung from the heat, but the pain barely registered.
Leonardo had heard me that day—heard my desperate calls for him to stop. He had come, searching for me. The weight of this revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. If he'd come months ago, I might have run to him without hesitation. But now? Now, I wasn’t so sure. Why had he come here, to Carlo’s pack? Surely, it wasn’t out of concern for me.
Then it struck me—Carlo. The realization was like a slap, leaving my mind reeling. He had insisted I take that mission to th
