She hadn’t seen Lucas all morning.
The company outing had begun with a welcome brunch, followed by casual poolside mingling. Executives were expected to be visible, but Lucas hadn’t appeared. Not at the pavilion. Not at the briefing tent. Not even during the team introductions.
Elara had noticed.
She hadn’t meant to.
Hadn’t meant to scan the crowd for him.
Hadn’t meant to feel that quiet ache when he wasn’t there.
But she did.
Mina had teased her about it once—called it “seal-sense,” like her mark could detect his presence. Elara had laughed it off, but now, standing near the pool in her zipped hoodie, she wondered if it was true.
She stayed on the edge of the activity zone, helping sort team badges and water bottles. The hoodie was stifling in the heat, but she didn’t dare remove it. The seal on her collarbone was too vivid, too unmistakable. Crimson-gold. Delicate. Alive.
No one at Draeven Nexus knew.
No one would understand.
And she wasn’t ready to explain.
Mina had joined the relay game, shouting across the pool, splashing staff with playful vengeance. Elara smiled, watching from the shade, until someone called her name.
“Elara! Toss me the marker!”
She turned quickly, reaching for the waterproof pen on the table—just as someone else bumped her from behind.
She stumbled.
Lost her balance.
Fell forward.
Straight into the shallow end of the pool.
Water surged around her, soaking her hoodie instantly. The fabric clung to her skin, heavy and transparent. She gasped, scrambling to her feet, heart pounding.
The collar had sagged.
She clutched it fast, arms crossed tightly over her chest, backing away from the edge.
“Elara?” Mina called. “You okay?”
“I—I’m fine,” she stammered. “Just—just wet.”
She turned, trying to hide the seal, trying to breathe normally.
But her thoughts weren’t on the water.
They were on Lucas.
Where was he?
Why hadn’t he shown up?
Did he know she’d fallen?
Did he feel it?
She didn’t know.
And that uncertainty made her chest ache more than the cold.
She left the pool quickly, head down, hoodie clinging to her skin. She didn’t speak to anyone. Didn’t explain. Just returned to her room, locked the door, and stood in front of the mirror.
The seal pulsed faintly—quiet, steady, like it was waiting.
She touched it gently, voice barely a whisper.
“You’re not supposed to be seen.”
But part of her wondered…
If Lucas had been there—
Would he have noticed?
Would he have protected her?
She didn’t know.
Not yet.