Night came again, bringing the familiar fear and strange anticipation.
I had just finished brushing my hair when the door opened. Kylian stepped inside without knocking, as usual. He looked tired but determined. His eyes scanned my body for a moment before he closed the door behind him.
I gathered my courage and spoke before he could reach me.
“Thank you,” I said softly, “for the food this morning. And the medicine. It helped a lot.”
Kylian paused. He stared at me with those cold gray eyes. For a second, I thought he might ignore me like always. But then he gave a short, bitter laugh.
“Don’t think much of it,” he said. “I was just being kind. You don’t deserve it, but I need you healthy. A sick wife would cause more problems for the pack.”
His words stung, but I nodded quietly. I had
