like arms, pulling her deeper into its embrace. Aria didn't stop walking, even as

s was the only sound in the silence. Her mind was a whirlwi

't ask

l only get

a knife twisting in her chest. She stumbled, catching h

voice trembling with fury an

rejection, how painful it could be, but nothing had prepared her for this. The hollow ache in

of anger burned. It was small, but

e was quieter, the chaos of her thoughts muffled by the gentle rustle of leaves in the

scre

of her soul. The forest seemed to shudder around

oarse and ragged, she collapsed onto the grou

ri

r eyes darting toward the source. A man stepped out fro

anded, her voice sharp

ed closer, his features

as one of the Frostfang Pack's warriors, someone s

ng dirt off her hands as she st

ace, taking in her tear-streaked cheeks an

his expression. She didn't want his

she said, turning away

ay," he said firmly. "Aria,

yes blazing. "Don't talk about it. Don't act like you understand. You have

u're right. I don't understand. But I do kn

of pain crashing over her. She clenched her fi

voice softer now, almost plead

"Alright. But if you need anything... an

lmost imperceptible nod

d, wrapping her arms around herself. She closed her eyes, willi

b's words echoed in her mind, a relent

rned in

n a small, forgotten village nestled on the edge of the Moonlit Vale. It was a quiet place, inh

arted to reb

edies and salves. It wasn't glamorous, and the pay was meager, but it gave her purpose. It ke

while, i

ghts were

She would wake from dreams of Caleb, his voice soft, his touch war

hate

d her to a shell of herself. But more than that,

s mad

mall cottage, grinding herbs into a fi

er hands on her apron

door, her breath c

e he

Fros

to his forehead, his blue eyes burning wit

id, his voice

him, her body

e?" she finally managed

d, stepping closer. "The p

a bitter smile. "An

irm. "Because whether you like it

uth in his words, but she

ng anymore," she said.

desperation creeping in. "Please. I ma

ess. "A mistake? You call ripping my he

ropping to the ground. "I thought I was

h anger. "Don't you dare try to justify what you di

ght of her words hit

em spoke, the rain falling

oice barely above a whisper. "

Part of her wanted to slam the door in his face, to

ethered to him by the remnants of

to forg

t terri