Nathan's POV

The rest of the day passed in a blur of orders, preparations, and tension so thick it clung to my skin like smoke. I barely had a second to breathe, let alone sit down. Patrol rotations. Border reinforcement. Strategy adjustments. Every hour brought new information, new worries, and new threats.

But every chance I got, I slipped back to our room, just to check on Adina, just to see her breathing and to remind myself that she was here, alive, safe… for now.

By the time night ...