Aiden lay wide awake in his bed, probably around midnight.

The room was quiet, moonlight casting silver patterns across the wooden floor. Theron slept nearby, his breathing steady, calm. But Aiden's chest felt tight. Heavy. Restless.

He couldn't take it anymore.

Silently, he got up — still in his human form — and padded barefoot across the cool floor. He moved slowly, careful not to wake Theron. A glance back showed the god-king still asleep, white hair a blur against the dark pillow.

Once outside, Aiden inhaled deeply. The air was cold, but fresh, and it burned into his lungs just enough to feel real.

His eyes scanned the darkness until they landed on the cliff in the distance — deep within pack territory, but secluded enough that it always felt like his place. Untouched. Free.

He ran.

Each step took him farther from the suffocating stillness, the staring eyes of the pack, the invisible weight of expectations. Once he reached the forest's edge, he stopped, toes curling into the dirt.

Then — he shifted.

Mid-run, black fur exploded across his skin, limbs lengthening, breath deepening. The forest rushed past him in a blur. Branches danced overhead, and the earth pounded beneath his paws. Aiden ran like the night was chasing him — or maybe like he was trying to leave himself behind.He didn't stop until he reached the cliff.

The wind howled around him, carrying scents from every direction. Below, the world slept.Aiden stood at the edge in his wolf form, chest heaving, ears twitching.

His thoughts turned to Evelyn. To Theron. To the pack. To everything that didn't make sense. The bond still throbbed in his chest — not fully broken, not fully whole.The wind was colder up here.

Aiden padded in a slow circle, black tail dragging slightly in the dirt, then finally curled up beside a jut of stone. His breath came out in soft huffs, curling in the air like smoke. His eyes remained open, reflecting the moonlight.

He wasn't sure how long he lay like that — caught between exhaustion and the tangle of thoughts — but eventually his body won the battle his mind kept fighting.

His head dropped.

Eyelids flickered.

And sleep claimed him.

He dreamed.Of moonlight in the water.Of Evelyn's laughter.Of Theron's hand, reaching out — not in command, but in comfort.Of the moment the bond had first stirred in his chest, like a spark behind his ribs.He dreamed of running, always running, but never far enough.

When dawn broke, the sun painted the cliffs in pale pink and orange. Aiden stirred, fur damp with morning dew. He lifted his head groggily and blinked.

He wasn't alone.

Theron stood a few paces away — silent, barefoot, a simple shirt tugged on hastily. White hair moved with the wind, face unreadable.

Aiden didn't move. His tail gave one uncertain twitch.

"I figured I'd find you here," Theron said quietly, voice like wind rustling the trees. "You always run when you're overwhelmed."

Aiden shifted, back into human form. He didn't bother reaching for clothes. Just sat there, knees pulled to his chest.

"I couldn't sleep," he muttered. "Felt like I was suffocating."

Theron said nothing at first, only stepped closer and sat beside him.

"You're allowed to feel lost, Aiden," he said. "You've given up everything — your place in the pack, the bond you thought you wanted. You're still healing."

Aiden turned his face away, jaw clenched. "And yet everyone expects me to act like I'm fine."

"I don't," Theron said gently. "I expect you to be honest."

They sat in silence for a while. The forest stirred below. Birds called out, light began to rise.Finally, Aiden whispered, "Do you ever regret being what you are?"

Theron looked at him. And for once, the he didn't answer.