Asher's POV

The first light of dawn was soft, creeping through the curtains of Willow’s hotel room. I could still hear the steady rhythm of her breathing next to me, her body tucked into the sheets as she slept soundly. I wanted to stay, to lie next to her forever, to savor the fleeting moments when the world seemed perfect, when nothing outside this room mattered.

But Axel’s sharp voice broke the spell.

“We can’t stay, Ash. We have to go. Now.”

I sat up, rubbing my eyes, but I ...