LucasI watch Aurora for a long moment after her breathing falls into that deep, even rhythm that tells me she is really asleep. Not the kind where she might wake if the mattress shifts or the air changes. This is the kind where her body finally lets go.Her lashes rest against her cheeks, casting faint shadows. Her lips part slightly, just enough to soften her whole face. She looks younger like this.I move slowly. Everything about me slows when I peel myself away from her. I ease my arm out from beneath her head, inch by inch, replacing the space with the pillow so she does not feel the loss. She stirs once, a quiet sound leaving her throat, and I freeze. My eyes stay on her face until her breathing smooths again.Only then do I stand.I pull the blanket higher, tucking it around her shoulders, smoothing the fabric like my hands know exactly where to go. My wolf insists on it, a low push in my chest that says warmth matters, safety matters. I listen.I start looking around, letting
Last Updated : 2026-01-11 Read more