Casian reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek as he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Lyra flinched at the unexpected touch, a sharp jolt sparking through her—part instinct, part something deeper. Her eyes widened, startled not just by the contact but by the sensation it stirred within her. Something raw. Unfamiliar. Unspoken.
Casian didn't pull away. He held his ground, steady despite the tension that crackled in the air between them. He knew his touch had surprised her—surprised them both—but he also knew it was the right thing to do.
Because for once, she needed to feel seen. Not pitied. Not feared. Seen.
She had spent her entire life doubting herself, internalizing the lies whispered behind her back. Too wolfless. Too broken. Too unwanted. She had been made to believe she was unworthy of love, of belonging, of being chosen.
But Casian was done letting her carry that weight alone.
