Rayne

una, but never l

d stares, dismissive glances, and whispered accusations. I bore it in silence. After all, I had bee

e dared r

had no warrior blood. Not when my wol

truly looked at me. His rejection didn't come with violence, only indifference - but that was its ow

sed to

sed to

ck followe

sneered one morning as I brought a tray of tea to t

ing. I was

ad. I was brought here to e

ince when his Beta called me "girl" instead of my name. And I did not c

felt i

ry

orking its way t

it hap

nal fr

t the stone. Darius had summoned me - rare enough on its own. I'd hoped

I had feared since the bond

ene Rayne. As my m

. No reaso

d in pain for the first time in months. I gasped, clu

n't-" I

ust

otionless, an

e soul in that

mber the snow - thick, unrelenting - as I wandered through the forest, t

f despair settling deep within my bones. No a

ed and silent, thr

yet to grasp the full

everish and barefoot, my mind foggy and desperate. The world swirled ar

fate in

it was him

smooth, and reassuring-murmured something just beyond my comprehension. His scent envelop

kness rec

, warmth cra

nt cabin window. Each movement prompted a delightful ache through

omfort, free from the oppressi

ful shadows. A soft wool blanket-thicker and richer than t

jolt of pain shot through

move to

eep, sent a shiver o

I gasped at the

usled across his brow. His eyes, a piercing steel-gray, penetr

ted, keeping his distance. "You were half-fr

t of fear in my throat, I repli

did

steaming tea into a delicate cup

uced himself, his voice steady. "A

territory renowned for its self-imposed isolatio

whispered, the name ba

with recognition,

who yo

in my throat. "

ontemplative. "Because e

that cabin f

s of obligation. Not as a guest, del

-a ghost learning to breath

ood, warmth, and silence-silent gestures of kindness without pit

n-he did

g softly if I needed anything, befor

or distance imp

ng buffer of unders

d the diffe

d on my own two feet aga

g, toned arms. A few stray strands of hair clung to his brow, dampened by the snowflakes that drifted through t

say, my voice a mere whi

glance in my direct

ght of gratitude

e noted, not unkindly. "The bo

row surfacing. "He rejected me,

he assured me,

hind the Alpha. Something within me stilled,

see me a

treat me a

rded me

time in years, I