Evander's POV
I knocked on the door desperately, my heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea if Claire was inside, but after seeing the open balcony door, I couldn't ignore the hunch. The moment she opened the door, relief surged through me like a wave.
There she was— safe and standing before me. She had only been gone for a few moments, but it felt like an eternity. I had been losing my mind searching for her, and now, seeing her again, I could finally breathe.
Her presence grounded me and made me feel alive. Her scent, warm and familiar, filled the air, calming the chaos raging inside me. Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms, holding her close. For a moment, I forgot everything— the rage, the heat building within me— everything except her.
