JANAYAH

I stayed there longer than I realized.

Time blurred into the soft crackle of candle wicks and the steady, fragile sound of Chris breathing. Every rise of his chest felt like a small mercy granted — one I hadn’t known I was capable of earning.

My wolf stirred quietly inside me, not restless this time. Watchful. Protective.

You did well, she murmured, her voice gentler than I’d ever heard it.

I didn’t answer. If I spoke, I was afraid the tight knot in my throat would break loose.

Cassandra moved around the room with practiced calm, grinding herbs, whispering under her breath, occasionally pressing two fingers to Chris’s neck...