I slammed into the wall, blood and sweat blinding me.

"Occupants alive? Status?"

"Free us!"

Byron pounded steel.

"My leg's trapped!"

Metal screeched as a searchlight pierced the dark.

A rescuer frowned: "Ms. Bancroft, both sires have trapped legs. Emergency-choose one to save first."

Through blur, I saw Jessie with Liam and Nora.

Her gaze never left Byron: "Save Byron."

Cubs wailed: "Save Uncle Byron first!"

Rescuer argued: "The other sire's injuries are graver-"

"Save Byron!" Her tone iced.

As Byron was lifted, the mangled door slammed down on my legs.

Agony exploded, but I saw them leave-Jessie supporting Byron, cubs cheering, their lunar forms fading into light.

I was left in absolute dark.

My lids flutter open to searing white light.

Healer's disinfectant stings my nostrils, joined by the steady beep of a vital monitor.

"Awake?" A healer peers into my eyes.

"Three broken ribs. Luck you arrived in time-"

I stare at the ceiling, Jessie's unhesitant choice to save Byron, the metal door slamming down without a backward glance.

Attempting to move, pain rips from my chest. Not a tear falls-my heart's numbed by agony.

Three moons later, Jessie enters in a beautiful dress.

Her gaze lingers on my bandaged torso: "Byron plays piano. His legs can't fail."

I study her profile-once my dream, now a distant deity.

"Thus, you bear the burden."

Her tone's casual as lunar weather.

"As steward, mobility matters little."

Silence falls.

My voice rasps: "Jessie. had I died, would you care?"

She frowns, wordless.

A black card lands on my table:

"This compensates. Raise the cubs, and remain my mate."

I laugh. Last life, I died with her title-yet loneliness and fire claimed me.

This time, I crave no lunar throne.

"Jessie, I-"

Her comm howls.

Byron's voice purrs: "Jessie, cubs and I await at the diner. A surprise!"

Her eyes soften:

"On my way."

Hanging up, her tone ices: "Pack calls. Chauffeur waits." She leaves.

My nails dig into palms, but I hold my tongue.

Soon she'll learn the bond break's final-she and the cubs, mere shadows now.

I ring for a steward, "Deliver my trunks to the port."

An hour later, her contacts delete, the black card abandoned.

As the skyship lifts, sunset paints clouds gold. I smile, closing my eyes.

No more sacrifices.

The days of groveling love fade with this flight.

Ahead lies a new dawn-mine alone.

Two fortnights in Cloud pack gift me a long-lost calm.

I claim a quiet shop, transforming it into "Aidan's Tales."

On a rainy day, I stand at the pane, mind blank.

A windchime's tinkle spins me around.

A tall woman stands there, black umbrella dripping.

In her arms, a damp-haired cub of five cowers, big eyes fixed on me.

"Do you have picture books for her age?"

The woman's voice is gentle.

I stare: defined features, laughing eyes, long hair loose.

"Daisy Northrop?" My heart pounds.

She startles, then gasps: "Aidan Colton?"