Ara's POV
The cold night air bit at my skin, a stark contrast to the searing heat radiating from Damon's body. His arms were like iron bands around me - possessive, unyielding. The scent of mint and sage comforted me only to make my stomach churn. Damn this mate bond and its cruel tricks!
I hated it. Hated how my body instinctively leaned into his warmth despite everything. Hated how my pulse stuttered when his breath brushed my neck.
Just as I gathered the strength to push away, a wave of foreign emotions crashed into me.
A sharp, jagged ache tore through my chest, so deep it stole my breath. It wasn’t mine. It was his.
His hurt. His loneliness. His rage.
It flooded me like a tidal wave, drowning me in emotions that didn’t belong to me. My vision blurred, tears welling befor
