The cave felt quiet and soft around us, as if the world had paused to see what we would do next.
My wolf settled inside me in a way she never had before. Calm. Steady. Whole.
But the second Ronan realized how close we were, how much we had given in, something shifted in him.
His whole body tightened again. I knew it. I was waiting for it.
His breath hitched. And fear flickered across his face.
Not fear of me. Fear for me. I could feel it.
His hands slipped from my waist, trembling as he moved back a single slow inch, like he was trying not to break something fragile.
“Ayla,” he said, voice low and raw, “what did we just do?”
I frowned softly. “We stepped closer. That is all.”
“That is not all,” he whispered. “You felt it. I know you did. The bond flared.” He said. I tried to move
