PTE

ON'S

ted with each step, a constant reminder of both my strength and my vulnerability. Disappointment weighed heavily upon me, dragging dow

ng the vibrant foliage next to the bustling healer hut. Her serene presence was there, in th

she murmured softly, concern etched into her gentle features. "You seem troubled." Her eyes scanned the area, noti

ned gaze, the weight of my emotions evident in the heaviness of my voice. "Sheila," I

o abandon her gardening and approach me with determined steps. "Ran into th

her fears. "Everything's alright, Willowhart," I reassured her, though the disappointment still ling

replaced by a compassionate understanding. "I see," she murmured softly, her voice a so

ng me a glimpse into the complexities of her character. "You know, young alpha," she began, her voice carrying the weight o

n me, prompting me to interje

mbled upon her in the woods, frail and forsaken, during the grand foraging last autumn." Weariness tinged her voice as she recounted th

ugh the venom possessed a malevolent will of its own," she mused, her furrowed brow betraying her bewilderment. "Or perhaps

dless of its origin," she continued, her voice weighted with uncertainty, "She carries the heavy burden o

immered beneath the surface as I grappled with the injustice inflicted upon Sheila. Who

fear of revealing her scars, both physical and emotional," Willowhart advis

f Sheila's unspoken pain. "She never told me..." I murmured, my eyes p

advised, her voice steady and sure. "Let her learn to trust. If your emotions toward her are sincere, patience and empat

give up on her," I declared firmly, the resolve evident in my voice and in the determined gleam of my eyes. With her w

Though she brought me food and fresh clothes in the mornings, her visits were fleeting,

be helping Willowhart tend to her garden, then she cited the need to gather herbs for c

t Sheila. I couldn't continue to let her evade me, not when our relationship hung in the balance. T

erizing pattern on the forest floor. Despite this natural labyrinth, I caught a whiff of Sheila's unmistakable scent-a blend of ripe grapefruit with hints of soft jasmine. Fol

the serene stillness that enveloped us. "Sheila," I calle

to retreat further into herself, her posture guarded as if shielding herself from the vulnerability of direct co

silence between us. "Sheila, you've clearly been avoiding me," I finally spoke, my tone firm yet gentle,

y clasped Sheila's hand, silently urging her to

nt, her posture rigi

"I want you to know that it doesn't matter to me. None of it," I assured

pted her to inquire,

utumn. "Your appearance... It doesn't change how I feel about you," I explained, my voice carrying the weight of c

nt of reassurance. "Then let's put your words to the test," she fi

e reached up and removed the

ike a dark, jagged river, its presence dominating her features with an undeniable rawness. Beneath it, her ski

er beauty, a reminder of the battles she had fought and the courage she had displayed in the face of adversity. In th

across my face before being

on, her disappointment palpable in the heavy sigh that escaped her lips. "I knew y

stly, it's the opposite of what you think. I mean, you're just... stunning,"

hoked with emotion. "No, I shou

tanding. I reached out and gently grabbed her hand, halting her departure. "Sheila, I really meant wh

streaming down her face. "Go away, Orion! Don't ever come to

direction of the haven, leaving me once aga