Aeron's POV ~
It felt like drowning. Every breath burned in his chest, like salt water filling his lungs. Guilt wrapped itself around him, dragging him deeper into the abyss. Aeron had thought he knew pain before... battle wounds, betrayal, even the grief of watching packmates die and become slaves under a bloodthirsty Alpha. But nothing compared to this. Nothing compared to the torment of almost losing her.
Selene.
Even thinking her name felt unreal, like a fragile flame that could flicker out if he held it too tightly. For so long, he had forced himself to believe she still lived. He had prayed to the Moon Goddess every night, begging for just one sign.
But nothing worked. There was no sign from her, but he still clung to the faintest ember of faith. Because if he didn't—if he accepted she was truly gone—then he knew he would have been shattered long ago.
But everything changed tonight… She had been here, in front of him.
