THIRD POV
Helen did not speak immediately after Kyle left the room.
The silence that followed was heavy, but it was not unfamiliar to her. She had lived long enough in the world of wolves, rituals, and consequences to recognize the weight of waiting. Still, tonight felt different. It felt stretched, like something fragile had been pulled too far and was seconds away from snapping.
Faye lay on the bed without movement.
Still.
Helen stood for a moment, simply watching her.
Then she moved. Carefully.
She stepped closer to the bed and reached for the edge of the fabric covering Faye’s body. Her movements were not rushed, but they were precise, as though she was trying to preserve something that could still slip away if handled incorrectly.
She began by removing the outer layer of cloth
