The cold night air hit Aria’s face the moment she stepped out of the Alpha Hall.
Behind her, the sounds of celebration slowly returned—laughter, music, voices.
As if nothing had happened.
As if her heart hadn’t just been shattered in front of the entire pack.
Aria clenched her fists tightly.
Her chest still ached where the mate bond had been violently torn apart.
Every breath felt heavy.
Painful.
Selene stirred softly inside her mind.
We cannot stay here, Aria.
Aria swallowed hard, forcing back the tears burning in her eyes.
“I know,” she whispered.
For the first time in her life, the pack grounds felt unfamiliar.
Hostile.
The large stone houses, the training field, the familiar paths she had walked since childhood… all of it suddenly felt like it belonged to someone else.
N
