Aurora was in the middle of her morning workout by the garden.
The soft thuds of her feet against the mat, the sharp whistle of the wind slicing around her kicks, and the calm sound of waves crashing below created a rhythm she had come to cherish.
Her garden wasn't just a space for flowers and peace—it was her battlefield, her therapy.
Her hair was tied back in a high ponytail. Her black workout top clung to her skin, her breathing steady after finishing another set of movements.
She was about to start her next sequence when she heard it.
Footsteps.
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. She had trained herself to recognize movement—even the way someone walked could give them away.
These steps weren't unfamiliar. They were confident, even, but careful. A bit hesitant.
She turned.
There, walking toward her from the stone pathway, was Sebastian Harper.
