ad become more docile, though it still had an eerie, wild presence. Igwe named it Kuro, after the dark co

en smile softly at Igwe, her eyes warm with affection. There was something about hi

g a little faster. "Igwe, you're amazing," she said, her voice soft but full o

k. "I've always felt a connection with animals. They do

elling with affection. "I thin

ine made him feel something he couldn't explain-something deep, something that made

fingers intertwining. Catherine didn't pull away. In f

" she whispered. "You make me feel saf

ars alone, so many years hiding in the shadows, but Catherine made him feel seen

piness he was beginning to find wit