**Gaia's POV**

Joels' eyes sweep over me the moment I shift back to human form—a quick, professional assessment checking for injuries, for signs of trauma, for anything that might require immediate attention. When he confirms I'm unharmed, something in his shoulders relaxes. Relief flickers across his weathered features. But he doesn't rush forward to embrace me or make a scene.

Instead, he turns to Kenneth and Astrein with the composed efficiency of a ...