Gideons POV
My large palm cupped her soft cheek as my thumb gently brushed away the damp trail left by the single tear slipping down her temple. Fear—cold and sharp—clawed at my gut, threatening to drown out the fierce satisfaction still humming through my blood.
My Alpha instincts flared, demanding to know if I had crossed a line, if I had somehow mirrored the monster who had left those wretched silver scars on her back.
"Sera?" I rasped, my voice thick and raw, trembling in a way it never did before my men. "Are you okay? Did I—"
"No," she interrupted softly, her hand sliding up to cover mine where it rested against her face. Her touch was warm, steady, and entirely free of fear. "No, Gideon... I'm more than okay."
A long, shuddering breath tore out of my chest, dragging the tensio
