The room was eerily silent except for the rhythmic crashing of waves against the ship outside. Aurora leaned in, her breath shallow as she whispered Marcus’s name.
"Marcus…"
No response.
His stillness was unnatural. His chest barely rose and fell, his skin paler than before.
"Marcus!" Aurora’s voice trembled as she reached out, fingers hovering just above his cheek.
Still, no movement.
Panic clawed at her chest.
Was he even breathing?
Her hand shook as she tapped his arm, just to be sure—
But in the blink of an eye, his eyes shot open.
Blood-red.
Aurora screamed, scrambling backward as Marcus’s entire body tensed. His wolf was there—fully present, fully awake.
But just as quickly as the red flared in his irises, it faded back to their usual piercing colour. His brows knitted to
