And under the stars, I let myself believe for the first time that I might be more than the curse.
Because maybe, just maybe, she was my way out.
The exhaustion I'd carried from the road from the Alpha union meet-ing I'd left for two days earlier suddenly felt lighter, as if her pres-ence alone could lift it from my shoulders. The night she had sought me at the cave was engraved in my head. I couldn't believe she would want to go that far.
There she was. Elara. Bathed in the soft glow of flickering candle-light, framed against the tapestry of my bedchamber transformed beyond recognition.
The scent of lavender and wildflowers filled the air, a delicate ta-pestry woven through the warm, muted light. Cushions and thick throws softened every surface; a low table bore bread, fresh fruit, and a bottle of elderflower wine, my favorite, though I hadn't men-tioned it aloud.
My breath hitched. I hadn't expected this.
Her eyes lifted to meet mine, shimmering with nervous hope.
