Chapter 118

~Jasmine~ Across the room, Mav was staring at me, his dark eyes burning into mine. The air seemed to shift between us, thick with unspoken words, memories neither of us dared to acknowledge. He looked… tired. More than tired. Shadows clung beneath his eyes, and a rugged edge now sharpened his normally composed features. There was something different in the way he held himself, the usual weight of leadership on his shoulders now suffocating, pressing him down. And yet, even as exhaustion dulled his expression, his intensity remained—his entire focus locked on me. A strange feeling curled in my stomach. I forced myself to look away, but it was harder than I expected. My wolf stirred, reacting to his presence as if drawn to him despite everything. I hated that instinct, hated how even after everything, my body still recognized him. Beside me, Zephyr leaned in and muttered under his breath, “Is it just me, or does he look like he hasn’t slept since you left?” I bit my lip, refusing to ackn