Rowan had posted himself near the door like a sentinel. At times, he'd walk to the edge of the bed and just stare, jaw tight with uncertainty. Other times, he disappeared to pace the halls, struggling to shake the phantom sensations of the spirit realm that still clung to his skin.
And Darius...
Darius Thorn moved like a man walking the knife-edge between two worlds.
During the day, he handled pack affairs, barely. He led morning drills with the warriors, met with the Beta Council to keep the region stable, and sent scouts to monitor the borders. But even then, his mind wandered. His sentences trailed off. His patience frayed.
At night, he kept vigil by her bedside.
He didn't speak to her. Not really. But he watched her. He listened to her breathing. He counted each rise and fall of h
