Back to Ravenwood, the Lycan King's castle.
The room felt warm, the tiny sparkles of the diamonds from the chandelier danced around the room.
While the hearth crackled quietly, casting dancing shadows against the walls. I sat on the edge of a large bed. too soft, too clean, too unfamilia, wrapped in thick blankets that still couldn't chase the chill I felt deep in my bones.
I was clean now.
The blood, the dirt, the grime all scrubbed away. My wounds bandaged with care, my hair brushed, my body tended to. But no matter how much they tried to comfort me, the hollowness within remained. Like I hadn't quite returned to myself. As if part of me was still lying in that cold prison cell, shattered and uncertain.
The door creaked open with a quiet groan, and my heart fluttered in my chest.
I didn't need to look to know who it was.
I felt him before I saw him.
Marcus's presence was a palpable force, filling the room in a way that was both grounding and overwhelming.
