Chapter 20

Aisha's POV For the first time in years, I slept without nightmares. Simon's arms around me were warm and steady, an anchor in the darkness of my mind. I wanted to fight the comfort, to remind myself that I was still leaving, that this moment wasn't meant to last but exhaustion had won. His scent surrounded me and his bed… it was enormous, too large for just one person, and yet he made sure there was no space between us. When I had hesitated earlier, his sharp golden eyes had told me everything: No one in the pack would dare prepare a second bed. And so I had given in, partly because I was too drained to argue, but mostly because… for once, it didn't feel like I had to be on guard. As I lay there, my fingers absently traced the edge of his shirt, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing beneath my touch. Haynes would survive. That single thought gave me relief, grounding me in the reality of my purpose. This was why I wanted to study medicine. To ensure fewer lives were lost u