Aurora's POV
I saw faces I recognized - warriors who had trained beside me, healers who had tended my wounds, pack members who had celebrated my return from death. Now they watched me leave again, uncertainty written in every line of their bodies. Were they witnessing courage or foolishness? Duty or obsession?
Fear has many faces.
Loyalty wears them all.
I didn't look for Marek.
I didn't look for the council either.
If I did, I might have faltered and hesitation was no longer an option. Cassian had built empires on hesitation. It made good people convinced themselves that waiting was wisdom instead of cowardice. I wouldn't repeat his mistakes.
Stefano walked beside me, close enough that our shoulders brushed. The bond between us pulsed steadily, a quiet rhythm anchoring me to the present. He hadn't asked me to reconsider. He hadn't suggested I take caution.
