[ Much ealier before I came out ]
The forest seemed quieter than usual, almost unnaturally so, as I stepped out into the moonlight. The packhouse was suffocating tonight, filled with too many whispers and too many suspicious glances. I needed air, space to think about everything that was happening.
[ Present time ]
Kael had been acting… different lately. The protective way he looked at me felt sincere, but there were moments—fleeting moments—when I caught something else were hiding in his gaze.
Was it a flicker of darkness, like a shadow too stubborn to stay hidden.
I clenched my fists and inhaled deeply, the cool breeze brushing against my skin. Maybe Mateo's paranoia was getting to me already. He had been relentless in his accusations, constantly watching Kael like he was waiting for him to slip up from those shell he hid himself.
But was it really just Paranoia or he was seeing something I just couldn't see?
