The morning light poured in through the sheer curtains, painting soft gold across the walls of Henry's quarters. I lay still on the bed, my head resting against the firm curve of his chest. The warmth of his heartbeat was steady beneath my ear, grounding me in a way I hadn't felt in years. No tether. No forced pull. Just... him. And yet, the absence of the mate bond left an odd hollow space in my chest - not from longing for Ryan, but from the realization that I was truly free now, and freedom ...