Kieran's POV ~
When Selene left the room to take the call, the silence pressed on me. It was sudden and heavy. A hollow ache spread inside, like she was walking away forever. Sadness gripped me without warning, and I hated how quickly it made me feel sad.
I did not want to be alone.
But then she came back. Her steps were light, but her eyes… her eyes were looking at me with something I could not name. My heart jolted once, hard, but I kept my face calm as always. Calm was easier than truth.
She asked softly, almost too casually, about the party at Sara's house. Her parents had invited me, but did I want to go or not?
Her words struck me harder than they should have. Did she really mean it? To bring me there? I knew well that the coven never allowed outsiders unless there was trust. Trust was rare and dangerous. And yet, her question meant she trusted me.
The thought unsettled me. It burned in my chest.
