The next morning, I woke to warmth on my face.
The glass walls of the stargazing room were covered with heavy curtains, but a thin beam of sunlight slipped through the ceiling above us. It fell directly across my eyes, pulling me gently from sleep.
When I blinked them open, Lewis was already awake.
He was lying on his side, watching me with that quiet look he only wore in private. Not the cold Alpha gaze he used in the council room. Not the sharp dominance he showed during pack meetings. Just him.
Even though we were bound as mates, mornings like this were rare. He usually stayed up late handling pack matters or left before dawn to patrol the borders. But these past few days, he had pushed everything aside to stay with me.
I treasured it more than I let him see.
Our eyes met, and he leaned down to press a soft kiss against my forehead. "Good morning, Elena," he murmured.
