Elias’s POV

I didn’t sleep.

Ronan told me to rest, but my body refused.

Every time I closed my eyes, his words replayed.

“I’m not letting anyone take you from me.”

What did that mean?

Why did he say it like that?

Why did it feel like he meant more than safety… more than protection?

By the time the sky turned pale blue, I was still awake, sitting on my bed with my knees pulled up. My heartbeat hadn’t calmed since last night.

A knock sounded. It was Soft and Controlled. Only ...