"Don't be scared. I'm on my way." His tone was soothing, tender in a way I hadn't heard directed at me in years. He glanced at me almost unconsciously, something like guilt flickering through his expression.
I watched the scene unfold with perfect calm. There was nothing left in my chest to ache—the place where our bond should have thrummed felt hollow and still.
So that was how it worked.
When Aurora was by his side, he knew any incoming call couldn't possibly be from me—so the message-sigil didn't matter.
When Aurora wasn't around, he was terrified of missing a single whisper from her.
After he closed the connection, his restlessness was palpable. His wolf paced beneath his skin, eager to run to her.
Maybe my comment about the first intended had struck a nerve somewhere deep. He didn't immediately announce he was leaving.
"Go handle your pack duties," I offered, my voice perfectly steady. "Don't let me keep you from your responsibilities."
Relief washed over him, so obvious it might have been funny if it weren't so painful. He rattled off a hasty reminder: "When are you being released from the healers' care? Send me a sigil-message and I'll escort you back to the den."