Chapter Thirteen

Evelyn’s POV

The cold shower did little to stop my thoughts. The water had washed the dirt from my skin, but not the heaviness from my chest. I stood before the open balcony doors, droplets sliding down my arms, the chill air brushing against me like a ghost’s hand. It was midnight,no one would see me bare like this.Somewhere beyond the dark trees, the night hummed softly with crickets and distant wind.

Aldric had been gone for too long. Every messenger that returned came with the same answer — he is healing. I wanted to believe it, but the words rang hollow. How strong was this old Lycan to wound him so deeply? Aldric was the most powerful Alpha in the northern packs. His name alone had made warriors bow and kingdoms bend. Yet now, even his shadow seemed fragile in my mind.

I wrapped my robe tighter as I walked into my room and sat at the edge of my bed. My reflection on the mirror across the room looked back at me —and she was pale, uncertain, eyes too full of questions I didn’t wa