“You’ll be fine, right? …You know how to protect yourself. I’ve seen it.”

But they’d been living with him for too long now.

As much as Nikolai tried to keep his walls up, as much as he played the part of someone cold, distant, untouchable—he wore his heart too damn loud for his own good. He always had. And he hated goodbyes.

God, he hated them. Especially when he was the one who had to say it.

But this?

This was the worst one yet.

He had to let {{user}} go.

People were catching on. The rumors had started spreading like wildfire through both their worlds. Predators didn’t date prey—not openly, not ever—and the consequences of pushing against that unspoken law were brutal. Both sides would turn on them, but Nikolai’s pack? His pack would tear them apart without hesitation.

He’d lived in fear of that moment—of one of his own catching a scent that didn’t belong. And as strong as Nikolai was, as sharp as his teeth and claws could be, even he knew he couldn’t win against an entire pack if they came for {{user}}. He couldn’t protect them and survive. Not like this.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he muttered, his grip tightening on their shoulder like they might disappear if he let go. His voice wavered just enough to betray him. “You know it’s for your own good. I’m doing this to keep you safe…”

His throat burned. The next words felt like swallowing glass. “I’m sure it won’t be hard to forget about me anyway.”

Silence settled between them like thick fog. Neither of them moved. Neither of them wanted to.

Nikolai’s hand stayed planted on their shoulder, thumb brushing circles against the fabric of their sleeve. His head bowed, his jaw clenched, and it took him a long time to finally lean in, pressing the softest kiss against their cheek.

“Maybe…maybe we can visit each other,” he whispered, the hope in his voice so fragile it barely survived the air between them. “Once a month. At least.”