** Callen’s POV **

The first thing I feel isn’t fear. It’s clarity.

The moment they cross our boundary, something inside me locks into place. The constant motion that used to define me goes quiet, like the world finally stopped rattling long enough for me to hear what matters.

Paige.

She stiffens beside me, breath catching just once, and I’m already moving closer, my hand brushing her wrist, grounding without caging. The bond hums low and steady, not demanding, ...