Chapter Thirty-Three - Acceptance
Evandra hadn’t moved from his bedside in hours. The room smelled faintly of herbs and blood, the soft glow of lanterns painting shadows across Tristan’s too-pale face. He looked nothing like the indomitable Alpha who had pinned her in the sparring ring only days ago—his chest rose shallowly, his lips parted, his skin clammy.
Her fingers curled around his hand, trembling. She could feel it—the bond, fraying, slipping further from her grasp with every labored breath he took. Sage whimpered in the back of her mind, frantic.
He’s leaving us. Pull him back. Use it—use the bond!
Tears welled in her eyes as she leaned closer, pressing her forehead to his hand. “Tristan,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You don’t get to leave me. Not like this.”
She re
