Asher’s POV
The meeting had left me drained.
I rolled my shoulders, wincing at the sharp pull in my muscles. Council matters were always a headache, but tonight? Worse than usual. Too much noise. Too many wolves arguing over nonsense. Pointless nonsense.
At least it was done.
I stepped outside, letting the cold air hit me square in the face. The sky, dark and stretched out above me, seemed indifferent. Lanterns threw soft patches of light across the garden. I barely noticed—until I did.
There she was.
Fiona.
I slowed without meaning to.
She stood alone, though not really. The garden, bathed in silver light, cradled her like a secret. Laughter—light and easy—slipped past her lips. The pups. My uncle's. I'd forgotten they were visiting. Somehow, I’d missed the chaos they usually left
