Silence.

I waited.

Eyes closed, fingers pressed against the mark on my neck, breath shallow.

Nothing.

No whisper. No flicker of heat. No pull to another realm. Just the quiet hum of the palace walls and the sound of my own damn heartbeat, louder than it had any right to be.

I tried again.

“I need to talk to you. Please.”

Still silence.

It wasn’t even the peaceful kind. It was the kind that mocked you. That made you feel like a fool for trying in the first place.

I dropped my hand. “Fine,” I muttered. “Don’t respond. I don’t need your help anyway.”

The words stung even though they came from me.

I stood from the bed, tossing the scroll onto the mattress like it meant nothing. My heart said otherwise. My heart was screaming.

Elena burst through the door.

“They said he’s still out,” she panted, strands of hair falling out of her braid. “You ready?”

I nodded, grabbing the book. “Let’s go.”

She blinked. “Wait really?”

“I’m not waiting for permission from anyone.”

“But Alpha Ryan"

“He’s not here. End