Chapter 351: The Quiet Before the Fracture
Orion barely paused at the threshold before stepping fully into the house.
The door had barely closed behind him when he crossed the room in three long strides and went straight for Sophia.
He didn't greet anybody at all, nor did he acknowledge the others in the room. He just went for Sophia first.
He placed his hands on her shoulders, firm and grounding, his gaze scanning her face like he was searching for cracks only he could see.
Brynhild let out a soft chuckle from her chair. "Do I no longer exist now, Alpha?" she asked lightly. "Or have I become furniture?"
Orion didn't look away from Sophia as he answered, his lips twitching. "You exist," he said. "I'm just not here for you. That's why I didn't bother giving you face."
Brynhild laughed under her breath. "Fair enough."
Orion's attention returned fully to Sophia. His voice dropped, gentle in a way few ever heard. "Are you okay?"
Sophia nodded immediately. "I'm fine."
