“Then what is it?”
I can’t tell him. Can’t say it’s a mate bond. Can’t explain what my wolf insists.
“I don’t know,” I say instead. Honest. “I just know I can’t explain it.”
Viktor watches me steadily until I find myself wanting to squirm. Then he nods once. Like he’s made a decision.
“There’s always a place for you at Aurora, Nadia,” he says. “That’s what we do. Sanctuary for supernaturals who need it. You resigned, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come back. When you’re ready. If you want to.”
The offer surprises me. I expected consequences. Punishment. Not this.
“Thank you,” I manage.
“But there are conditions.”
Of course there are.
“The Council meets in two days to decide Commander Allon’s fate,” Viktor continues. “Until then—and possibly after—you stay away from him.”
My wolf snarls in protest, and my chest aches like something’s being ripped away. But underneath—underneath there’s something else. A whisper of hope from my rational mind.
Maybe this is good.
“I can handle—”
“Can you?” He leans forward. “You’re too close to this. And I need you to have distance to process what happened before you make decisions that affect your future.”
“I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
“I’m not worried about stupid. I’m worried about you being personally involved when you need to be objective.” His voice stays level. Factual. “You can’t be involved in the Council’s decision. For procedure, for fairness to him, and for you. We don’t have a clear read on Allon yet. We don’t know his intentions, his reliability, whether he’s a genuine defector or a plant. Until we do, you need to stay away.”
Distance. Time. A test.
My wolf rejects this violently. Raging against the very idea of separation from her mate. But my human side whispers:Maybe this is exactly what you need.
Four or five days. That’s how long the heat cycle lasts. Two days until the Council meets. I’m pretty sure I’m well into the third day already. Maybe further. Time enough for the cycle to end. Time enough to know if these feelings are real or just biology lying to me.
If it’s just the heat cycle, I’ll feel different when it passes. The pull will lessen. The ache will fade. I’ll look back and realize this was temporary insanity. If it’s a mate bond… it won’t matter. Theconnection will still be there. The pull will remain. But I’ll cross that bridge if I get to it.
Maybe separation is a gift in disguise.
Viktor’s right. I hate it, but he’s right.
“Two days,” he repeats. “Then the Council decides. Can you manage that?”
Two days. Then I’ll know.
“Yes,” I say. “I can manage that.”
“Good.” He heads for the door. Stops before opening it. “I hope the Council grants sanctuary. The intelligence he’s offering about Vex changes things significantly. And despite the complications, you made the right call bringing him in alive.”
Then he’s gone.
I sink back down on the bed.
Two days.
Forty-eight hours before the Council decides if Jericho lives or dies. Because withdrawing sanctuary would be a death sentence.
