ASTRID POV
He kept his eyes carefully on the wall behind me.
Which was… interesting.
This was the same wolf who read inappropriate magazines without shame.
Now he couldn't even look at me.
"You shouldn't be standing," he said finally. "Your ankle—"
"I know," I interrupted gently.
I took a small step toward him.
Then another.
His scent shifted immediately — warmer, sharper.
Wolves really were easy to read once you knew what to look for.
"I just didn't want to bother you again," I said quietly.
Karl laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "Astrid, you're literally the most important person in the world right now. You're allowed to bother me."
Important.
Not me.
What I was.
Still — useful.
I let my fingers brush his arm lightly.
"Thank you for helping me," I said.
His muscles tensed under my touch.
Hook sinking deeper.
"You don't have to thank me," he replied.
"I want to."
Silence stretched between us, thick and warm.
