?


    Maybe it was the flicker of something inexplicable I had felt in my belly or the softness in Enzo''s eyes; maybe it was just the weight of all the secrets I had been carrying. Whatever it was, I needed to talk.


    "Enzo, I think it''s time I tell you everything," I said, my voice shaky but determined.


    He looked at me, his eyes focused and attentive. "Go ahead. I''m listening."


    I took a deep breath. "I''ve been seeing something-someone, rather. A shadow entity. It''s like a looming figure in the dark, with hollow eyes, and it terrifies me. I don''t know if it''s real or not."


    His grip tightened around my hand. "What are you saying, Nina? This sounds-


    "Dangerous? Insane?" I blurted out.


    "No." Enzo''s eyes softened. "It sounds serious, Nina. Why didn''t you tell me about it sooner?"


    I swallowed, shrugging. "I... I don''t know, honestly. Maybe I thought it would go away on its own. Maybe I thought that you would think I was crazy or something."


    He looked genuinely distressed. "Nina, you''re not alone in this. We''ll figure it out. But what if this is some sort of reaction to everything you''ve been through? I wish you had told me sooner, that''s all."


    "I know I should have," I murmured. "I just... thought I could handle it on my own, I guess."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "But you don''t really believe that."


    "No, I don''t."


    His face tightened, and I could practically see the gear turning in his head. "Listen, after tonight, I''m not sure if it''s such a good idea if I go to this job after all. Six months away from you when you''re dealing with a pregnancy, medical school, and now this?"


    I shook my head, squeezing his hand back. "You can''t put your life on hold for me, Enzo. You have dreams, ambitions. Don''t let me pull you back."


    "But-"


    "I''ve decided to get help, okay?" I said, my eyes pleading with him. "I''ll go to therapy. Maybe they can help me sort out whether this shadow is something real or just a projection of my own fears."


    Enzo''s face lightened, and relief seemed to wash over him. "That''s... that''s a big step, Nina. I know it''s hard for you, and I''m proud of you."


    I smiled, my heart feeling a little lighter. "Just promise me, Enzo, that you won''t give up on your dreams. Finish your job and keep moving forward."


    He met my eyes, his gaze intense. "I''ll promise you that if you promise to stick with therapy. And maybe even consider staying here, with your parents, at least throughout the pregnancy."


    I frowned. "I''ll think about it. The idea of being under my parents'' roof, away from my friends here in the werewolf realm, isn''t the most ideal option. But I''ll consider it if it would make you happy."


    "It would," he said gently, giving my hand another squeeze. "It really would."


    We sat in silence for a few more minutes, our eyes drifting back to Selena''s grave. It was a strange sensation, but for a brief moment, it felt like Selena was there with us. Maybe it was just the twin bond, forever searching for its other half nwo that she was gone, but it was afort of sorts.


    "Come on," Enzo finally said, breaking the stillness. "Let''s head back."


    As we walked through the back entrance of the mansion, I noticed it was surprisingly quiet. Theughter and chatter that had filled the air earlier had dissipated, and all of the guests had gone home.


    "They''re gone," I mused. "The guests left."


    Enzo smiled. "Good. We could both use some peace."


    But the quiet was short-lived. My father''s voice echoed from his office down the hall, firm and urgent.


    "Enzo, Nina, I need to speak with both of you."