Chapter 40

The journey back to Kaden’s estate had been a blur. The throbbing pain in Althea’s leg had consumed her senses, leaving little room for anything else. She remembered the sound of Kaden’s steady breaths as he carried her through the forest, his arms firm and unyielding beneath her. She remembered the way the cool night air brushed against her tear-streaked cheeks, the rhythmic motion of his footsteps keeping her grounded in the haze of pain and exhaustion. Now, she was in Kaden’s estate, lying on the plush bed in his private quarters. The room was dimly lit by a single lamp, its warm glow casting soft shadows across the space. Kaden stood by the window, his arms crossed as he watched the estate’s grounds below. His silver eyes were stormy, his jaw tight, but he hadn’t said much since bringing her back. The sound of approaching footsteps pulled Althea’s attention to the door. It opened to reveal a man in his late forties, his salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed and his demeanor calm yet p