Willow and Damon returned to the suite that had been prepared for them shortly after the Elder Council reluctantly agreed to allow Rafe to be transferred to the Rogue Kingdom. Although the elders had expressed concern about transporting such a dangerous prisoner, even they could not deny that the Alpha King himself had granted Damon full authority over Rafe's punishment. There was nothing more they could do except trust the Rogue King to keep him securely imprisoned.
The moment the suite door closed behind them, Damon turned toward Willow. For a second, neither of them spoke. The silence felt different from all the others they had shared over the past weeks. It wasn't awkward. It wasn't painful. It was filled with anticipation.
Hope. Before Willow could say a single word, Damon crossed t
