She walked home slowly, this time avoiding the forest.
When she stepped inside the house, the familiar scent of wood, soap, and herbs wrapped around her, but it brought no comfort this time.
“I’m home,” she said softly.
Her mother appeared from the kitchen almost instantly. “Welcome back, love.”
Rana smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Iva noticed it immediately—the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers twisted together, the careful stillness in her movements. Her wolf senses picked up what her heart already knew.
He’s home.
Her father.
A quiet knot formed in her stomach.
“I’ll go upstairs,” Iva murmured.
Rana nodded, hesitation flickering across her face, like she wanted to say something but didn’t dare. Iva turned away before the guilt could sink its teeth into her.
