Serena’s POV

The night was quiet, a stillness in the air that felt like the world holding its breath, waiting. Baird and I sat in the dimly lit living room. His gaze was passionate, as he rubbed his fingers over my hand, and it filled with such a comfort I had never felt before.

“I know you’ve been thinking about going back to the Pack Alliance,” Baird began, his voice steady but soothing. “And I want you to know that I will help you do that. If that's ...