POV: Lydia
Everything was pain.
I'd been hiding for two years. Ever since that day. The day Marcus died. The day Thomas transformed into something monstrous. The day I realized the shaman had lied about everything.
Two years in abandoned buildings. Moving from shadow to shadow. Eating scraps. Healing slowly from wounds that should have killed me.
Two years watching from the shadows as Kade chose her. Again and again. Over everything. Over everyone.
Over me.
The wound in my side throbbed. Nearly healed but not quite. A reminder of what loyalty got you. What ambition cost.
I should have run farther. Should have left completely. Gone to another territory. Another life.
But I couldn't. Couldn't stop watching him. Couldn't stop hoping that maybe, somehow, he'd realize his mistake.
That
