The morning after Aiden's recovery, I found myself in the pack library with Asher, sorting through ancient texts. The silence between us was comfortable, filled with stolen glances and soft smiles. After our shared experience in the infirmary, something had shifted between all of us.
"I've missed this," Asher said softly, his hand brushing mine as we reached for the same book. "Just being with you, no pressure, no expectations."
I looked up at him, seeing the warmth in his blue eyes. "I've missed it too," I admitted. "Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I'd never left."
Asher's hand found mine, squeezing gently. "We can't change the past, Lyra. But maybe... maybe everything happened exactly as it was meant to."
Later that afternoon, I spent time with Lucian in our special training ground, where he had taught me to fight during our years together. We moved in perfect sync, our bodies remembering the familiar dance.
