Marco's POV
I am the Alpha of the Moonfire Pack. The weight of that title alone is enough to make kingdoms bow, and yet the thought of showing even a sliver of weakness to Lara felt like a humiliation greater than any battlefield defeat. I am the ruthless CEO of the Blackwell empire, feared in boardrooms and worshiped in my pack. I command armies, crush competitors, make empires rise and fall under my hand.
But I could not bring myself to knock on her door tonight. Not because I did not want to.
I told myself I only came to the guest room to check on them. To make sure she and Cassian were sleeping safely. To ensure the guards were doing their job. But the truth scraped at my chest like claws. I came hoping she would look at me with that softness again. I came hoping she would whisper that she felt cold. That she could not sleep alone. That she wanted me near.
I came hoping she would beg me to take her back to our room. But Lara did not beg.
