I moved through the mansion with heavy steps, the weight of political maneuvering sitting on my shoulders like a physical burden. The upcoming Solstice events would be crucial for my campaign, and every detail needed to be perfect. Every alliance secured. Every threat neutralized.
My phone buzzed with another message from the campaign team—polling numbers, talking points, security concerns. I silenced it with a growl. Five minutes. I just needed five minutes of peace before diving back into the chaos.
My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin. He'd been on edge lately, more possessive than usual when it came to Seraphina and our unborn pup. The closer she got to her due date, the more primal my instincts became.
I caught her scent before I entered the living room—that intoxicating blend of sweetness that somehow calmed and inflamed me simultaneously. But there was something else there. Something...different.
