James's POV
The silence between us felt heavy, but for the first time in a long while, it wasn't suffocating. Holding Aimee's hand, I let myself breathe, even if it was just for a moment. I leaned into the comfort she offered, despite the storm still raging inside me.
But the weight of the curse lingered in the back of my mind, a constant reminder of what I was becoming. Every time Emily sent her magic, it twisted me further, digging deeper into the parts of me that I was afraid to face. My skin still itched from where the fur had receded, and I could feel the beast lurking just beneath the surface. What terrified me more than anything was that a part of me almost wanted to give in.
