SERAPHINA'S POV
The shower had washed away the sweat, but not the frustration. Lavender ointment tingled on my bruised knuckles as I towel-dried my hair, the scent doing little to calm my racing thoughts.
The failed training drills. That wretched garden confrontation. The way Kieran's gaze had burned through me like I was the one betraying him.
I exhaled a deep sigh. I should stop thinking of that annoying Kieran. We were divorced. He shouldn't crash through my life like a hurricane anymore.
My phone buzzed on the sink counter.
Lucian: Left the protein shakes in your fridge. Don't overdo it tomorrow.
A small smile tugged at my lips. Lucian had stayed late under the guise of reviewing my training schedules, but we both knew the truth—he'd been giving me space to process while silently ensuring I wasn't alone. No prying questions. No false platitudes. Just steady presence, the way one might guard a wounded packmate.
I typed back: Thank you, Lucian. For everything you do.
