"If that's what you truly want, I'll respect your decision. For now."
The Lycan King's words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken threat. Despite my small victory in setting boundaries, a chill ran down my spine at his final two words: "For now." Even in concession, Landon Mercer refused to surrender control completely.
I watched him stride away, his massive frame disappearing through the doorway. Only when he was gone did I allow myself to exhale, my shoulders slumping with the release of tension. The lingering scent of him—smoky cedar and something primal—made my head swim.
My fingers trembled as I smoothed down my dress. I'd stood my ground against the most powerful Lycan in the realm, and somehow, I wasn't dead. It felt like a miracle, albeit a temporary one.
