Chapter 28. The Night She Let Go

The camp lay in a hush beneath the pale watch of the moon. Where once voices filled the square and torches glowed against canvas walls, now there was only stillness. Most of the wolves had left for the village celebration, leaving the grounds empty, hollowed of motion. The tents stood in silent rows, shadows draped over their flaps like folded wings. Wind stirred gently through the trees, whispering across the ground like it, too, had no one left to speak to.

Kaelen carried Mira through that silence, her weight a quiet presence against his chest. She’d fallen asleep during the ride back—barely a word said before she’d slumped, her head resting against his shoulder, her breath slow and even. She hadn’t stirred when he lifted her out of the car or when he moved between the tents, his strides long and careful. She’d barely murmured when he nudged the flap of his tent open with his boot and stepped inside.

He didn’t wake her. Not yet.

He crossed to the bed and knelt do