Alive And living

JADE

I turned away from the stream, my arms wrapping tightly around myself as a chill crept up my spine. Not from the cold—but from everything else. From the weight of Rhys's words, the look in his eyes, the fact that I hadn't pushed him away when he leaned in. I'd let him close. I'd let myself feel.

And that was dangerous.

My boots crunched over the wet grass as I followed the narrow path back toward the pack house. The night air was thick with tension, even with Gerald gone and Rhys several paces ahead. I could still feel him—like gravity, like something tethered to my ribs and heartstrings all at once.

I swallowed down the knot forming in my throat.

Violet.