Lila's POV
The refuge was quiet, too quiet. The kind of quiet that felt heavy, like the world was holding its breath. Kian stood a few steps away, his arms crossed as he scanned the horizon. Aria sat on the ground near my feet, playing with Woof. The air felt strange here. Thick, almost alive, like it knew we didn’t fit.
“Mama, soft?” Aria asked, holding up her toy dog.
“Yes, baby,” I said, faking a smile. “Woof is very soft.”
She giggled and hugged the toy tightly, but her laughter didn’t ease the knot in my stomach.
“Are you okay?” Kian asked, his voice low.
I looked up at him, his blue eyes searching mine. “I don’t know,” I admitted.
He stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm. “This place... it feels different. Like it’s watching us.”
I nodded. “I feel it too.”
Soren h
