CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

THE SHADOW PACK

ANIKA VALERION

Morning light filtered softly through the curtains of my old chambers.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I woke without fear sitting on my chest. Xander lay beside me, one arm still draped heavily over my waist, his breathing slow.

There was no Court. No immediate threat. Just the two of us.

I traced a light path along his forearm, over the faint remnants of the black veins that sometimes still appeared when the power stirred. He caught my hand without opening his eyes and brought it to his lips.

“You’re thinking too loudly,” he murmured.

“I’m allowed,” I whispered...