“Stay here,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “I’m going to find Ryder. We’ve come too far to lose him now.”
I nodded, swallowing the anxiety that was bubbling up in my chest. “Just be careful, okay? This ship is crawling with shifters, and we both know I’m…well, vulnerable right now.”
Justin gave me a small, reassuring smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll be quick. Lock the door behind me.”
As soon as he left, I did exactly as he instructed, turning the lock with a soft click that somehow felt too loud in the quiet room. My nerves were on edge, every creak and sway of the ship setting my heart racing. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension. The room was simple, with two small beds and a tiny bathroom, but it felt like a sanctuary compared to the chaos o
