I woke him.

Standing in the dark kitchen with moonlight on the counter and a stranger's letter in my hand, every instinct told me to wait until morning.

To process it alone.

To carry it quietly the way I'd carried everything before Valtherion.

But I'd made a promise.

Don't lie to me again. I can handle the truth.

Hiding wasn't lying.

But waiting was close enough.

I went back to the bedroom.

Touched his shoulder.

Valtherion was awake in an instant. Alpha reflexes, zero to combat ready in a heartbeat.

His hand closed around my wrist, eyes scanning the dark room for threats.

"It's me," I said. "No attack. But...