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He finally glanced up. “Afternoon.”

“Don’t start with me,” she snapped. “I’m not here for pleasantries, Alpha.”

The word was loaded. Mocking.

Jace set his pen down and folded his hands on the desk. “Then by all means, say what you came to say.”

Calla stared at him for a beat, eyes sharp, braid swinging over one shoulder like a banner of war. “Lyra cried.Youmade her cry.”

Jace swallowed, but didn’t speak.

She snorted. “Nothing? No denial? No pathetic excuse?”

“I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

Calla leaned in, hands braced on the desk. “But you did.”

“I know.”

“That’s not enough.”

He met her gaze. “It’s all I’ve got right now.”

Calla’s jaw tightened. “You don’t get to run hot and cold and leave someone youclearly care abouttwisted up in knots because you’re afraid of feelings.”

He bristled. “This isn’t about?—”

“Don’t,” she snapped. “Don’t lie to me. You think you’re protecting her? From what? Yourself? The bond? Fate?”

Jace didn’t answer.

“You’ve had every chance to step up,” Calla continued, voice rising. “But every time she reaches for you, you shove her back. And I don’t care how noble youthinkyour reasons are—pain is still pain.”

Jace stood then, slow and measured. “I’m not asking for forgiveness.”

“Good,” she shot back. “Because I’m not offering it.”

The air crackled between them, thick with unsaid things. Old grief. New rage.

And then Calla’s voice shifted, still sharp, but cool now. Calculated.

“You should know,” she said, turning toward the door. “Ezra stopped by the shop yesterday.”

Jace froze.

Calla glanced back. “Complimented her voice. Told her she deserved to be wanted without apology.”

Jace’s jaw flexed.

“He was polite,” Calla added lightly. “Charming, even. Stayed a little longer than necessary.”

“Hewhat?”

Calla opened the door slowly. “She didn’t go with him. But she didn’t stop him from getting close, either.”

Jace’s wolf surged under his skin, snarling.

Calla looked over her shoulder, eyebrow arched. “If you won’t claim what’s yours, Jace... don’t be surprised when someone else does.”