Serena’s POV
Dawn crept over the horizon like a hesitant witness to the storm gathering on our borders. I stood on the eastern balcony of the estate with Alaric. His arm wrapped securely around my waist as we watched the first light touch the treetops. The night had been a fragile sanctuary filled with whispered promises tender touches and the kind of love I had never dared dream of. His fingers traced lazy circles on my hip grounding me even as the scout reports grew more urgent.
'This calm before the fight feels precious.'
“They are closer than we thought,” Alaric said. His deep voice was a low rumble against my ear. He pulled me closer. His chin rested on my head. “The Collective moves like ghosts. No banners. No clear allegiance except destruction. But we have the treaty. We have ea
