Chapter 157

SERAPHINA The Nightveil Pack clinic was located at the eastern edge of the territory, surrounded by towering pine trees. This morning the air was cool, and a thin mist still hung among the leaves. I could feel the tension in Kaelos's shoulders as we walked into the building—his hand gripped mine a little tighter than usual. “Are you nervous?” I asked, holding back a smile. “I'm not nervous,” he protested quickly. Too quickly. “You're the Alpha of the Nightveil Pack,” I whispered, leaning slightly against him. “You face rivals, lead hundreds of Pack members, defeated Darius. But a baby doll makes you nervous?” His jaw tightened. “That's different.” “How is it different?” I asked him. “That,” he said, staring straight ahead, “is something I can control. This...” he sighed, “...this is about not hurting something so small and fragile.” My heart softened. I stopped in the middle of the hallway, pulling him to face me. His eyes—usually sharp and alert amber—were now filled with such sincere