I stepped out into the night, the cool autumn breeze washing over me, a contrast to the suffocating atmosphere I’d just escaped. The streets of the Shadowveil Pack’s territory were alive with the hum of conversation, the laughter of pack members, and the rustling of leaves underfoot. Yet all I felt was a growing emptiness.
The truth was before Leila had returned to the pack, Haynes and I had been happy. We were inseparable, our hands intertwined as if letting go would mean losing each other forever. Even though my wolf had always been distant, aloof to him despite the mate pull, I was content. Happy, even, with him by my side.
So, why did things have to change? What went wrong?
As I walked, my breath grew heavy, each inhale more labored than the last. I couldn’t shake the feeling of suffocation.
When I finally reached the villa, I felt a strange sense of relief wash over me. I had barely stepped inside when my phone buzzed. Haynes.
[Have you arrived home?]
I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the screen. But what was there to say? I let the phone slip into my pocket without replying. A few minutes later, another message came through, the tone more insistent.