MY ALPHA MY WITCH

hina'

urned their backs on me.I didn't even realize where I was heading until I reached the river. This was the only place I felt I could breathe, yet today, even the familiar sight of the water flowing by couldn't calm the storm inside me. I stood there, staring blankly at the river, tears silently streaming down my face. My chest felt so tight, like I couldn't catch a full breath. Suddenly, a hand rested on my shoulder, and I turned around sharply. Aiden. The moment I saw him, my resolve broke. I threw myself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He wrapped me in his embrace, whispering softly into my hair, trying to comfort me. But nothing could take away the pain I was feeling."I was at your house," he said softly, rubbing my back. "Your mother wouldn't tell me where you were, but I guessed you'd be here."I pulled away slightly, looking up into his eyes. He was hiding something, I could tell. His face was strained, like there was something more he wasn't saying. "What else did she say?" I asked, wiping at my tear-streaked cheeks.He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "It's nothing. It doesn't matter. What matters is I found you, and you're okay."I knew there was something more he wasn't telling me, but I also knew Aiden. He didn't like to upset me if he didn't have to. So, I let it go for now. He was always trying to make me smile, always going out of his way to keep me happy.He smiled down at me, his eyes softening. "I have a surprise for you."I couldn't help but give him a small, tearful smile back. "What is it?"He chuckled and shook his head. "You'll have to wait a few minutes. Stay here, I'll go get it."I watched him walk away, feeling a bit lighter just by his presence. Aiden always knew how to pull me back from the edge. I trusted him, more than anyone. And that's why I can't leave him for anything. I wouldn't be the one to betray our love. As I waited, I started walking around the woods by the river. The soft sounds of the leaves under my feet and the distant flow of water were calming. I heard a twig snap and turned, smiling. "Aiden?" I called out, thinking he was trying to surprise me. "Stop teasing me!"No answer. I laughed softly, thinking he was being playful, but as I took another step, something felt... off.Before I could take another step, a strange force seemed to grip me. My whole body stiffened, and suddenly I couldn't move. My chest tightened, worse than before, like something was squeezing the air out of my lungs. My breath came in short, painful gasps, and panic rose inside me. I tried to call out for Aiden, but my voice wouldn't come. The pain in my chest intensified, like a burning, stabbing sensation deep inside me. I dropped to the ground, my hand instinctively going to my chest, where I felt something warm and sticky. Blood. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't scream. I was suffocating, my heart pounding so loud in my ears I could barely hear anythi