Cameron

Cameron POV:

As I walked alongside Samuel, my mind was a tempest of emotions. The taste of Lyla's kiss still lingered on my lips, igniting a fire within me that I struggled to contain. My wolf prowled restlessly beneath my skin, echoing my own desire to claim her fully, to erase any trace of Noah's mark with our own.

But beyond the raw need, there was a deep-seated anguish. The bond, our sacred connection, remained veiled to her, and it tore at me more than I cared to admit. Every moment spent with her was a bittersweet torture, feeling her so close yet so far. Samuel shared my torment, his usually calm demeanor marred by a similar restless energy.

As we made our way through the ornate halls of the palace, our destination was the chambers of the high priestess. She had just returned from her journey, a journey we hoped had gleaned some knowledge that could help us.

The corridors were silent, the usual hustle of the palace subdued by the late hour. Our steps echoed, a steady rhythm tha