Nova blinked slowly at the dusky light filtering through the window. Her body ached in that dull, residual way — the kind that didn't scream pain, but whispered exhaustion.
She stretched and winced slightly. Her limbs were still heavy, like she'd run a marathon in her sleep. Honestly… maybe she had. Her dreams were a blur of moonlight and memory.
The room was quiet. Elle and Cael had left earlier to go scout Jax. Nova had wanted to go, insisted even, but sleep dragged her down before she could protest again.
She sat up, slowly, the motion making her dizzy. It took her a second to steady herself before forcing her feet to the floor. Her fingers brushed the parchment-wrapped crackers Cael had dropped off earlier for her and Elle. Neither of them had been able to keep a full meal down since they were poisoned.
She nibbled one.
Then another.
Her stomach growled like it was waking from the dead, and for the first time in days… she didn't throw it back up. That felt like a victory.
She quickly bathed and pulled on her new enchanted training bodysuit— the midnight-black was supposed to be skin tight but it was slightly loose. The shell armor stuck out a bit, not blending in with her body as it should, but she didn't care. It was the most comfortable training suit she'd put on. It was also warm. Something she'd grown used to not having.
The sun had vanished beneath the horizon. Shadows stretched long across the courtyard below. It was time.
Time to check on Jax. Her mate. That hated her.
She felt empty. No bond. No pull. No electricity sparking in her veins. Just numbness. Like her heart had been hollowed out and all her emotions had gone with him.
Then a voice filled her mind.
Fin: Nova, where are you?
She blinked. That was unexpected.
Nova: I'm about to leave. Is everything okay?
Fin: Yes. I'm going to come with you. Meet me at the back exit, past the library.
Nova: You don't have to come if you're busy, Alpha. It's okay.
There was a long pause. Then:
Fin: First… call me Fin. Or Finric. Not Alpha, not with me. Second, I'm not too busy. Jax is like a brother to me… and you're a member of my pack.
Nova froze for a second, blinking at the wall like it had spoken. Her cheeks warmed, unbidden.
Fin.
She'd heard Jax and Cael call him that now and then. He didn't offer it to many. And somehow… it felt more intimate than it should. Like a secret she was just now being allowed to hold.
She responded.
Nova: Okay, I'll meet you there.
She moved quietly through the castle halls, the fabric of her suit silent as breath. As she turned the corner past the library, she found him already waiting.
Tall, sharp-edged, and carved in moonlight.
He stood with his arms crossed, leaning casually against the stone archway, as if he hadn't just offered her something he rarely gave anyone. His time. His name. His attention.
"You look better," he said, voice low.
"I ate a cracker," she replied dryly. "Big day."
Finric's mouth twitched. "Careful, all that energy might go to your head."
They started walking together, no words needed. Just quiet understanding as their boots tapped softly against ancient stone.
"You don't have to babysit me," Nova said after a few minutes. "I can handle this."
"I know," Finric said simply. "But I didn't come to babysit. I came because I care. About Jax. About you. You've shifted only twice."
Nova swallowed. His voice was calm. Just… honest. Grounded. It was strangely disarming. She didn't know what to do with that.
They stepped into the darkened woods, the moonlight trickling through the trees in broken fragments. It started to snow.
Finric glanced at her.
"Shift when you're ready," he said. "I'll follow."
Nova nodded but hesitated. The thought of shifting stirred something in her chest — not fear, not exactly. Just… uncertainty.
But she took a deep breath, let the feeling rise, and gave her wolf the reins.
A shimmer of silver light engulfed her as she shifted. It hurt. She didn't remember it hurting like that the time before. But this was the first time she initiated it.