Mary Ann’s POV
“Why don’t you ever ask me to stay?”
The question came so suddenly that I thought I had imagined it.
The vehicle continued along the final stretch toward Ironclaw, surrounded by guards and the low sound of engines. Outside the window, dark pine trees passed beneath a gray afternoon sky. The pack border was already visible in the distance.
Modric sat beside me with his body turned slightly in my direction.
His expression was tense.
Not angry.
Almost uncertain.
I stared at him for several seconds.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“I did.”
“Then answer.”
The demand entered his voice automatically, but something vulnerable remained beneath it. He had been silent for most of the journey, watching me as though my refusal to question his secret call disturbed him more than an a
