FAZER LOGINI took a seat, perching a little nervously on my knees. With the door shut behind us, the living room felt more intimate than it ever had before; we usually only used it for more formal meetings or guests. But now, it felt like it was being used for what it was supposed to be used for, and it was we
Ellie’s POV“Yes,” Amy said. “A sleepover. One night this week. I think it could be really beneficial for you both.”I looked at Dominic. He was staring at Amy like she’d just suggested we run naked through the pack grounds. It certainly felt that way.“That’s… Unconventional,” I muttered.Amy smile
“Oh, here we go.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Dominic, Lucas had nothing to do with it except for the initial invitation. This is my passion, and it has nothing to do with either of you.”Dominic gnawed on the inside of his cheek and stared at me like he was searching my face for answers.Amy,
Ellie’s POVOur next therapy session was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. I showed up right on time on purpose, hoping to avoid any awkward small talk with Dominic beforehand. He was already sitting on the sofa when I walked in, chatting with Amy, who was in her usual chair with her notebook open i
He thought for a moment before he said, “I appreciate how smart you are. You’re studying to be a healer, and you’re good at it. I’ve seen the way you talk about your classes, the way you light up when you’re learning something new. It’s one of the things I’ve always admired about you.”I blinked. I
Ellie’s POVDinner was almost painfully quiet. We ate the roasted chicken and vegetables that the cooks had prepared, and Dominic made a few attempts at small talk, but mostly, it was only the sound of scraping cutlery and chewing and Vivian’s distant sobs that filled the air.After we finished eati
My jaw tightens.“Did you also hear about the massive pitfall trap on that ‘easier’ route? Yeah, I’m quiet sure you did.”“And just what are you implying?!” Karina snapped.“That you messed with me before,” I hissed. “And people don’t change.”The room goes dead silent.Karina’s face twists. “Like I
Ellie POV I wake to the ache first. My back, my legs, the dull soreness that reminds me I slept on dirt and roots instead of a bed.Then my ankle snaps me awake, it’s throb slowly growing like my consciousness. The morning light was beaming down the pit, and my arm covered my face.Too bright.But
Ellie POV The tent smells like antiseptic and damp canvas.Lucas lowers me onto the cot with too much care. His hands hover even after I’m settled, fingers flexing as if he doesn’t know where to put them now that I’m not actively falling apart.He starts with giving me some pain herbs and meds, “I’
Ellie POV There’s a shift.One i felt since the morning.But especially now.The way the air in the cafeteria thickens the moment I step inside, like I’ve walked into a room where a fight was about to start and I was center stage.My leg aches with every step. I favor it without thinking, my limp s







