The early morning mountain breeze was crisp and cool, brushing against Creed's skin like a polite ghost with chilled fingers.
The sun was just rising above the distant peaks, casting golden light across the villa's futuristic walls and the floating bonsai trees in the garden, which gave a lazy shimmer in response.
The world felt silent and fresh, and for the first time in a while, Creed was at peace.
He'd survived an assassination, a beast tide, a brush with a Beast King, and—most terrifying of all—a shockingly intense 'exchange' with Meredith who had somehow drained him like the succubus she was for 15 hours straight!
He could still feel a lingering ache on his chest. It was quite shocking, honestly.
Now, he needed a run. Not just to stretch his legs but to get a proper feel of the area.
