The next morning felt strange.
The bond hums in the back of my chest, restless and quiet, like something waiting. I keep glancing toward the forest, expecting to see Talon. But he doesn’t come.
He doesn’t come to training. He doesn’t stop by the house. He doesn’t even send a message.
By midday, I can feel the unease building in my bones. My brothers sense it too, though none of them say it out loud. Ryn watches me like he knows something’s off. Kael keeps pacing the hallway.
I tell them I’m fine but its a lie.
When the sun dips low and the sky turns the color of dying embers, I finally give up waiting and go looking for him.
I find Talon behind the old storage shed near the east field, sitting on the edge of the fence with his head down. His hands are clasped tight, knuckles pale. Th
