DESDEMONA

Lord Kieran’s arms were steady around me, I didn’t pull away. I didn’t cling either. I stayed there, frozen, my face pressed against his chest while my body slowly forgot how to feel safe anywhere else. His scent was unfamiliar, not Alpha, not pack, not possession. Just… human. Quiet. Gentle in a way that felt almost wrong.

His hand rested at my back, not possessive, not demanding—just there, as if he was afraid that if he let go, I would finally fall apart.

I stared past his shoulder at the dark window, at my reflection that no longer looked like me. My eyes were hollow. My face is thinner....