I sat in the bath, staring blankly at the still water. My head felt heavy, and a dull ache pressed deep in my chest like something was slowly tightening around my heart. The pack bond inside me felt unstable, pulling in different directions, as if it couldn't decide where it belonged anymore.
Ashton didn't hesitate or look away. We had crossed lines like this before, in moments where instinct and duty blurred together, so there was no shame left between us. I let him clean me in silence.
Steam slowly filled the bathroom, wrapping around us until the cold in my body started to fade. The warmth didn't fix anything, but it made it easier to breathe.
He wrapped a towel around me and carried me out without a word. After that, he helped me into dry pajamas, then stood behind me and began drying my hair. His movements were steady, controlled, like he was holding something back inside himself.
None of us spoke.
