Damon's POV
Every tear that slid down Ara’s face was a blade twisting deeper into my chest.
When she whispered my name, pleading, broken— I had to clench my fists so hard my claws drew blood. Ryan raged inside me, howling to go to her, to rip apart the chains binding her, to destroy anyone who dared put that shattered look in her eyes.
But I stood still. Cold. A statue carved from ice.
Her knees hit the ground, and my muscles locked to keep from surging forward. The way her voice cracked— begging for her pack, for mercy, for me— it took everything in me not to fall to my knees beside her and pull her into my arms.
I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
But I couldn’t say it. Couldn’t even look at her for too long, or the lie would crumble.
When Aurelia forced the vial to her lips, Ar
