The Lunar Sanctuary was silent, save for the soft ripple of the Moonwell. Moonlight glowed faintly across the surface of the water, casting pale silver highlights across Leo's hair and the sleeping girl in his arms.
Amaya breathed softly against his chest, her body still weak from the surge of power she'd unleashed. Leo held her as if she were something fragile and irreplaceable because to him, she was.
He should have laid her down on the smooth stone bedding near the Moonwell.
He should have stepped away.
Given her space.
But his arms refused to let go.
His instincts wouldn't let him.
The beast inside him wild, ancient, territorial growled softly whenever he tried to loosen his hold.
Keep her close.
Don't leave her.
She's yours to protect.
Leo clenched his teeth, trying to drown out the instinctual whispers.
"She's not mine," he murmured to himself.
But his heart knew he was lying.
