Shattered Defenses

Cassian froze in place, his entire body tense.

From behind him came a soft, sleepy voice, laced with a hint of drowsiness. "Don't go."

Those words were like a cat's gentle clawing, leaving a tingling sensation that stirred his heart into chaos.

"Don't go..." Valerie repeated, her voice fragile yet insistent.

Cassian frowned, knowing full well that if he stayed, leaving would no longer be an option