Esme’s POV
The night was thick and quiet. Moonlight spilled through the high windows of the pack house, painting silver stripes across the floors.
My footsteps sounded too loud as I walked toward Cole’s quarters, the vial burning a hole in my clenched fist. Every guard I passed gave me a second glance, then a third. I could feel their confusion on my skin.
Esme, the quiet one, the broken one, the one who never came within twenty feet of the Beta’s wing unless she was forced to. And here I was, heading straight for his door like I belonged there.
The final guard stood like a statue outside Cole’s private suite. Tall, broad, young enough that I recognized him from training sessions years ago. His eyes widened when he saw me.
“Miss Esme?” He actually took a half-step forward, like he t
