LYRA

The relief nearly killed me.

The bond steadied so suddenly and completely the sharp panic strangling my chest for hours finally loosened all at once. Warmth flooded through the connection again, weak but stable, and I almost burst into tears right there beside the bed.

Lucian blinked slowly, exhaustion heavy in his eyes.

But he was looking at me.

Focused.

Present.

Alive.

One of the healers immediately stepped forward. “Alpha, can you hear me?”

Lucian didn’t look away from ...