Chapter 163

Nate's POV

The fire crackled, sending sparks dancing into the night sky as Layla and I sat on the worn log, the warmth seeping into our bones. We spoke in hushed tones, the weight of our conversation hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

“I just can’t shake this feeling that we need to do something,” I murmured, my gaze fixed on the flames. “We can’t keep waiting for Augustus to make a move.”

Layla nodded, her brow furrowing in thought. “But rushing into things blindly could be just as dangerous,” she replied, her voice tinged with concern. “We need to be strategic about this, Nate.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “I know, I know. But every day that passes without action feels like a wasted opportunity.”

Layla reached out and placed a comforting hand on my arm, her touch grounding me in the present. “We’ll figure it out. We always do.”

Her words offered a sliver of solace in the uncertainty that surrounded