Serenity's POV
The world doesn’t stop when we do. It takes a while for my body to understand that the chase is over.
Darian keeps running long after the sounds behind us thin into nothing—no howls tearing the night air, no engines roaring closer, no boots pounding pavement. Just the heavy rhythm of his stride and the wind ripping tears from my eyes. I cling to his fur, fingers numb, claws half-extended out of instinct rather than intention. My breath comes in sharp, shallow pulls, chest burning like I’ve swallowed fire.
Then—quiet.
Not silence. Never silence. But the kind of space where danger isn’t breathing down my neck anymore.
My grip loosens before I realize it has. My shoulders sag. My body starts to shake now that it’s allowed to. The adrenaline drains too fast, leaving everyth
