Chapter 4

The silence stretched between us like a taut wire ready to snap. Kaia's smug smile faltered slightly at my words, but Bryson's expression darkened, his jaw clenching in that familiar way that meant his Alpha was rising to the surface.

"Eleanor," he said, his voice carrying the first hint of his Alpha tone. "You're grieving. You're not thinking clearly. Go to your room and rest."

"My room?" I laughed, the sound bitter and sharp. "You mean the room where I found her fur in our bed? That room?"

Kaia had the grace to look uncomfortable for a moment, but Bryson's…