Aurora's POV
The moment I stepped back into the mortal realm, I knew something was wrong. The air felt thick, charged with an energy that made my skin prickle. I had barely materialized in the courtyard of the Nightshade Pack when Ethan appeared, his eyes wild with a mixture of relief and something darker.
"Aurora!" he exclaimed, rushing towards me. "Thank the Moon Goddess you're back. Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried we've been?"
Before I could respond, he enveloped me in a bone-crushing hug. For a moment, I allowed myself to melt into his embrace, the familiar scent of pine and earth washing over me. But then I felt it – a subtle shift in his energy, a tightening of his grip that spoke of possession rather than protection.
I gently extricated myself from his arms
