The next morning, waking up felt surreal.
The heavy, suffocating shadow that had haunted my every waking breath for months was simply gone. Opening my eyes to the warm sunlight filtering through our bedroom curtains, a quiet realization settled deep in my soul: today, I didn't have to fight for survival. I could just focus on the pack, my husband, and my happiness.
...After we mourned the dead.
I sat up slowly, feeling the smooth sheets against my bare skin. Beside me, Demetrius was already shifting, his golden eyes blinking open as his arms instinctively reached out to pull me back down against his chest. I rested my palm over his heartbeat, taking comfort in its steady, powerful rhythm.
"Morning, my Queen," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep as he kissed my bare shoulder.
"Morn
