My wolf stirred, uneasy.


    “Has anything changed recently?” I pressed. “In her routine. Her responsibilities.”


    He hesitated.


    "She''s been working more closely with the elders," he admitted. "Especially on trade and logistics. Some of it oveps with Pine Ridge."


    There it was.


    I kept my expression neutral, but my attention sharpened.


    "And has she mentioned Rowan?" I asked casually.


    Lance stiffened. "Why would she?"


    I chose my words carefully. "Because Rowan is pushing harder than usual. He''s


    making moves that don''t align with Kieran''s public strategy."


    That got his attention.


    "You think this has something to do with the election,” Lance said slowly.


    "I think everything does, right now,” I replied. “Especially for people close to us."


    He stared at the floor, jaw tight. "You think someone''s pressuring her.


    "I think it''s possible," I said. "And if that''s the case, she may be trying to protect you by creating distance."


    Lance looked up sharply. "From what?”


    "From being used as leverage," I said tly.


    Silence fell.


    Lance''s hands curled into fists. "She wouldn''t let that happen."


    "Ellie once thought the same thing," I said quietly.


    He flinched, but didn''t argue.


    "I''m not saying I is betraying you," I continued. "I''m saying she may be caught in something bigger than either of you. She cares about you and it''s obvious that you care about her. But your rtionship is new. She''s probably afraid you''ll judge her for being uncertain."


    He exhaled slowly, "So what am I supposed to do? Back off and let her spiral?" “No,” I said immediately, "You don''t abandon her. But you don''t corner her either." He grimaced. "That''s not helpful."


    I pushed off the desk and moved closer, lowering my voice.


    +25 Bonus


    "You make it clear that you''re steady," I said. "That you''re not going anywhere. And you give her space to decide whether she trusts you enough to let you in."


    Lance scoffed. "You make it sound so easy."


    “It isn''t,” I replied. "But forcing answers will only make her retreat further."


    He was quiet for a long moment.


    "Did Ellie ever pull away like this?" he asked.


    I didn''t hesitate. "Yes."


    "And what did you do?" he asked, eyes sharp now. "What was your mistake?"


    I held his gaze.


    "I assumed her distance meant rejection," I said. "And instead of asking why she


    was afraid, I focused on my own pride."


    The admission sat heavy between us.


    Lance swallowed. "And that''s how you lost her.”


    "Yes," I said simply. "For a long time."


    He nodded slowly, absorbing that.


    "I don''t want to repeat that," he said quietly.


    "Then don''t," I replied. "Be present. Be patient. And be prepared for the possibility


    that what she''s dealing with has nothing to do with you."


    He let out a breath he''d clearly been holding. "You''re really bad atfort, you know that?"


    A corner of my mouth twitched. "I''m told."


    He managed a faint smile, then straightened.


    "Thank you," he said. "For being honest.


    “Anytime,” I replied. “Just..... be careful. Both of you.”


    He nodded once and turned toward the door.


    "Hey," I added.


    He paused.


    "If Rowan or anyone else approaches you about I," I said, "youe to me immediately."


    His eyes hardened. "You think it''s already that bad."


    "I think it could be that bad very quickly,” I answered.


    +25 Bonus


    He didn''t argue. He left without another word.


    When the door closed, I sank back into my chair and rubbed at my shoulder,


    irritation ring as painnced briefly through the joint.


    The debate. Rowan''s maneuvering. I''s distance.


    Fault lines.


    I pulled up the debate briefing again, scanning the list of participants, the proposed


    questions, the moderators selected for their supposed neutrality.


    A stage like that didn''t just test policy.


    It tested control.


    And for the first time since this campaign began, I wasn''t sure whether stepping into


    the spotlight would protect my family-or paint arger target on our backs.


    I nced at the time.


    Ellie would be with the boys now.


    The thought grounded me.


    Whatever this became-whatever the kingdom demanded of me-I couldn''t afford to


    lose sight of why I was doing it.


    Ten days.


    Ten days to prepare for a stage where every word would be dissected, every hesitation magnified.


    Ten days to make sure that when I stood under that light, I didn''t fracture under its weight.


    Because this wasn''t just about winning anymore.


    It was about holding everything together while the ground beneath us shifted.


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