I made it back to my room before the emotions hit.

Relief that nothing had actually happened between Dante and Sera.

Guilt that I'd driven him to that point of desperation.

Fear that next time, he might not stop. Might not choose us.

And beneath it all, a growing certainty that I needed to become someone stronger. Someone who didn't need constant protecting. Someone worthy of an Alpha King.

Tomorrow, I'd start training with Adrian.

Tomorrow, I'd start rebuilding myself.

But tonight, I ...