Nova’s POV
The cabin felt too small the second Alaric stepped outside. Every distant howl made the walls press in tighter. I could not sit still. The bond kept tugging in my chest, warm one second, cold the next, like an extra heartbeat I could not ignore.
I padded to the door and cracked it open. He was right there on the porch, shirtless in the moonlight. Fresh bandages stood out white against the dark skin over his ribs.
A thin line of blood had soaked through the gauze, but he was not paying attention. He leaned on the rail, head tipped back, eyes half-closed like he was listening to every rustle in the trees.
He knew I was watching. His head turned fast. Gold flashed in his eyes for a second. “Could not sleep?”
I shook my head. “You either.”
A tired half-smile pulled at his mou
