Elara POV
The door closed behind us after Kael left, and the silence that followed felt heavier than the moment itself.
Maren leaned against the table, arms crossed, studying me like she was trying to decide whether to shake me or hug me first.
“So,” she said slowly. “Are you going to explain what that was, or should I guess”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again.
Inside me, my wolf was pacing. No. That was not right. She was circling like she had found something precious and did not want to let it out of sight. Her excitement pulsed through my chest, warm and dizzying.
Mate.
The word came again, clearer now. Louder.
My breath shook.
“Elara,” Maren said more gently. “Talk to me.”
“I need a second,” I whispered.
I moved away from her and pressed my palm to my chest. My heartbea
