Chapter 14: The Breath Before the Break
Josie
The only thing I could focus on was the sound of my own breathing.
Sharp, uneven, raw.
Kiel’s hand gripped mine as he pulled me through the winding halls and past startled pack members. His strides were long, rushed—almost angry—and I struggled to keep up without tripping over the edge of my gown. The guards followed, their presence like shadows with teeth, tense with every movement Kiel made, like they weren’t sure if they should stop him or help him.
We stopped only when we reached the stairs that spiraled up and up—then he tugged me again. My pulse thundered in my ears, my heart an unsteady drum.
I had no idea where we were going until we stepped out into open air.
The cold hit me first, biting my skin with sharp teeth. I gasped, clutching my arms, but then—
Oh.
The rooftop was nothing like I expected.
Fairy lights stretched overhead, crisscrossing like constellations just close enough to touch. A long table sat in the corner, layered in white cloth, flickering candles, and dishes I couldn’t name. Surrounding it were low shrubs in planters, making the rooftop feel like a secret garden in the sky. From here, the rest of the pack lands looked like a painting—dusky blue trees, golden lights, and smoke curling into the stars.
It was breathtaking.