Austin's POV

The sight of her broke something inside me.

Ruby’s voice was faint. “Austin… it hurts. Please… make it stop.”

My chest tightened. Every bruise, every scar she carried was a reminder of my failure. I was supposed to protect her. I’d sworn I would. Yet here she was, broken and terrified.

I forced myself to move closer. My claws retracted, bones cracking as I shifted back into human form. “Ruby,” I said, “It’s me. You’re safe now.”

Her glassy eyes flickered ...