The corridor stretched long and sun-washed ahead of them, filled with the kind of soft, late-morning light that made everything look gentler than it felt. Warm beams spilled through the tall windows, casting shifting patterns across the polished floors. Outside, the council grounds buzzed faintly—warriors training in the distance, young wolves laughing as they ran errands between buildings, the comfortable hum of a pack returning to normalcy after days of tension.
Elaine walked with unhurried steps, her fingers brushing absently along the smooth railing as she moved. But no matter how much she tried to focus on the familiar sounds of daylight, her gaze kept drifting sideways.
Toward Evan.
He walked a half-step behind her, hands tucked behind his back, posture straight and composed as al
