a's

been fractured, filled with fleeting images of faces I didn't recognize and emotions that didn't belong to me. It wa

eminding me of where I was-or rather, where I

d answer, it creaked open. Eleanor stepped in, her e

id briskly, setting the t

ggs and toast, my stomach t

she insisted, her tone lea

. The food was good, but my appetite was non-existent. Eleanor wat

ut last night?" she aske

talk about? I don't know who I am. I don't know why I'm here.

"You're Aria," she said simply. "You're the mat

They were straightforward, matter-of-fact, but t

ber any of it,

l after a traumatic event. Your mind is protecting you

n't anyone just tell me what happened? Why does it feel like

e, or guilt. She leaned forward, her voice low. "Some truths can't be tol

r, but I didn't press. It was clear I wasn't

fter a moment. "Why does he k

ate. The bond between mates is strong, even if you don't feel

I couldn't explain. I didn't know Lucas-not the way she c

n be what he wants me

anor said firmly. "Just focus on hea

urance did little to ease

r the fragments of my memory. It was like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Ever

elt like they were clo

rriors and pack members moving with purpose. No one spared me more than a

out, some in human form, others shifting seamlessly as they carried out their duties. The land was bea

leaves and distant howls soothe my restless mind. The forest was thick and

eace didn

od a few feet away, his dark hair messy and his eyes glinting with misc

us Aria," he said, his

stirring uneasily

. "Call me Finn," he said. "And let's j

His smile didn't reach his eyes, and his

u," I said, taki

id, his grin widening. "And

down my spine. "What ar

ou're the victim here, don't you? Poor little Aria, lost

but before I could, a deep g

ng as Lucas stepped out of the sh

cas commanded, his voice

der, but his grin returned. "Relax,

uction. Now leave," Luca

turning away. "This isn't over," he said over

my heart still raci

ng the forest as if expecting Finn to reap

ce," I said d

ing. "I understand. But the forest isn't sa

. As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling tha

about me. It was bigger, darker, and mo