I went to my room and packed up a few of my stuff. I sighed in pain and left.
The path curved through the woods, silent except for the crunch of gravel beneath my feet.
And then—
I felt him.
Before I saw him.
Cassius.
Standing a few feet ahead, leaning casually against an ancient oak, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his black coat fluttering slightly in the breeze.
Waiting.
As if he had known I would come.
As if this moment had been inevitable all along.
Our eyes met.
Dark to dark. He just pushed off the tree and took two slow, deliberate steps toward me.
His voice was low, rough, certain.
"Have you finished thinking about it?"
I didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
His dark eyes gleamed.
"Following me back?"
"Yes," I said again.
Something like satisfaction flickered across his face—sharp, feral, and real.
He extended a hand toward me—not demanding.
Inviting.
"Let's go," Cassius said simply.
I stepped forward without hesitation, placing my hand in his.
