"I still love him." My whispered confession hung in the air of my old bedroom, the weight of those four words pressing on my chest.
Seraphina squeezed my shoulder. "Then what's stopping you, El?"
I wiped away a stray tear. "It's not that simple, Sera. There's... there's Orion."
Debra's eyebrows shot up. "What about him?"
"We have an arrangement," I said, my voice barely audible. "A commitment. The Storm Crest Pack has been my home for four years. I can't just abandon them... abandon him."
"An arrangement?" Seraphina pressed. "What kind of arrangement?"
I shook my head. "It's complicated."
"Is it a relationship?" Debra asked directly. "Are you and Orion...?"
"No," I said quickly. "Not exactly. But there are expectations. Responsibilities. I can't just walk away because Rhys suddenly decides he wants me now."
Seraphina frowned. "El, if you love Rhys—"