LOGINFor a beat, no one spoke. Then, he lowered Kaelani gently until her feet touched the ground, but he didn’t let go—his fingers slipping into hers, holding on like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kaelani’s gaze dropped to their hands. The contact stilled something inside her. No one ha
“You do.” He let his gaze drop—just for a second—to the space between them, the inches that still separated them. Then back to her. “But I meant it when I said I’d never leave you again… that was real.” A brief pause—not for effect, but because he meant it. “Not when it’s hard. Not when it’s me
Kaelani’s smile hit him harder than anything else had. For the first time, it was meant for him. Julian stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him and shutting out everything beyond it—the chaos, the noise, all of it. In here— was his peace. His heart. His whole world. He move
The room. The light. The faces. A breath caught in his chest. “Kaelani…?” His focus sharpened. His room. His packhouse. Familiar walls and scent. But something was wrong. His gaze moved quickly—his mother at his side, Jace by the window. No Kaelani. Julian pushed himself upright, pain tear
She didn’t look at him. “Julian Hale… fugitive status removed.” Another keystroke. “Jace Romano… fugitive status removed.” Her fingers paused for a fraction of a second before continuing. “Garrick Blake… charges dropped.” A quiet tap followed. “Release scheduled for… tomorrow morning.” Then—
A brief pause. “Am I wrong?” Councilor Voss didn’t answer. He simply watched her for a moment longer before speaking. “What is it that you want?” Kaelani held the room for a moment. “What I wanted the day I stood before you in the Chamber of Elders,” she said. “What I asked for then.” “To liv
“I’m not joking.” Julian’s voice was level, emotionless. Elara sat back slowly, eyes wide, her face blank as though slapped clean of expression. Her fingers dug into the arms of her chair. Julian turned to her—not cold, but not gentle either. “We’re not compatible, Elara. I see that clearly now.
Kaelani’s jaw tightened, eyes narrowing. “But there’s a reason he didn’t stay,” Elara continued, a cruel smile tugging at her lips. “There’s a reason he ran off the moment he got what he wanted from you.” Kaelani’s breath caught—just barely—but Elara saw it, and pounced. “You see, your body was g
Her voice softened, almost reverent, stars lighting up her eyes. Kaelani smiled at her friend — not one of those fake smiles she’d been forcing for weeks, but something softer. Real. “Tess, that’s… beautiful.” But as she listened to her friend gush about being cherished — touched with tenderness —
He stopped. Jaw clenched. Eyes darted away. “I was like what?” she challenged. He looked at her — torn open, not even sure what he was trying to say. “I don’t know,” he said hoarsely. “Like nothing makes sense unless you’re in it. But when you’re in it… I feel like I’m losing my mind.” She stare







