Caleb paced the confines of his living room, his mind replaying the tense encounter with Lila. Her words had been sharp, commanding him to leave, yet her trembling voice and teary eyes told him a different story. She was scared—of him, of the truth, of whatever lay ahead. For the first time, Caleb felt powerless in a way that left him hollow.
He sank into the nearest chair, his head in his hands, when a memory struck him like a bolt of lightning: the night they had mated. It had been overwhelming, primal, driven by Lila's heat and their undeniable bond. There had been no time for thought, no talk of precautions—only instinct and a hunger that consumed them both. Caleb's breath hitched as he considered the possibility.
