Chapter 25 - Twenty Five
I woke up to the cold side of the bed. Darius was already gone.
It wasn’t like him to leave without saying something. Not even a note. Not even a whisper. I sat up, hugging the blanket close as if it could shield me from the emptiness that had crept into the space he used to fill so easily.
I tried not to let my thoughts spiral. Maybe he had early training. Maybe council business. Maybe—
I got up, dressed, and made my way out of our shared room. My wolf had been restless lately, and I couldn’t tell if it was the lingering toll of the ritual or something else. Something darker.
The moment I stepped outside, a wind passed me. It was sharp. Different. And something in it twisted my gut.
There was a scent I didn’t recognize. It was faint, but distinct. Sweet like crushed berries, with an undercurrent of smoke. Not from Thornridge. Not one of ours.
And it clung to him. To Darius.
I didn’t want to believe it. Not at first.
But I followed it.
It led me past the training grounds, past the council chambers, and into the woods—the private hunting route the Alphas used. My steps slowed. The wind shifted again, and I caught it stronger this time.
The same scent.