Jasmine woke with a start, her body tense before her mind could catch up. The dim morning light filtered through the animal-hide curtains, casting soft shadows across the stone walls of her room. The fire in the hearth had burned low, leaving only a bed of glowing embers, but she still felt cold. A deep, aching unease gnawed at her stomach, the same one that had plagued her the night before.
She turned onto her side, pressing a hand against her belly, feeling the faint flutter of life inside her. The baby was still. Sleeping, perhaps. Unbothered by the storm that had raged through the night or the fear that now curled around Jasmine's heart.
Xaden should have been back by now.
The thought pressed heavy against her chest. He had left days ago, leading his warriors to handle the threat of the rival pack. He was strong—unmatched in battle—but something inside her whispered that something had gone terribly wrong.
