Aria's Pov
The night air felt quite heavy, pressing down on my shoulders as I hurried out of the hall. My legs moved aimlessly, and my breath was sharp and irregular, as if I'd been running even though I hadn't.
I just wanted to escape the noise, the laughter, and the way everyone's eyes had quickly turned toward me after Damon's cruel rejection.
I pushed open the doors and stepped into the welcoming courtyard. The chilly breeze gently brushed my cheeks, offering a brief moment of fresh air that didn't quite ease the ache in my chest.
My wolf was quiet at first, her silence feeling more unsettling than her usual growls, leaving me feeling a bit more alone.
Say something, I begged her.
Her reply came soft and trembling. I don't know what to say. My heart hurts too, Aria.
That truly overwhelmed me. I gently leaned against the cool stone wall, resting my forehead on its rough surface. Tears started to fall before I even noticed, hot and stinging in the chilly night breeze.
I whispered softly, "He didn't even think twice," feeling the ache in my voice. "He looked at me like I was dirt, like I was something stuck to his boot."
My wolf whimpered, the sound low in my mind. He was supposed to be ours. The bond doesn't lie.
"Then why did he throw me away?" My voice cracked. "Why didn't he feel what I felt?"
He did, she said firmly, though there was sorrow in her tone. He's just too proud to admit it. His pride is stronger than his heart.
I closed my eyes, trying to breathe, but every inhale made my chest hurt even more. "So that's it? Fate gives me a mate, and he rejects me in front of the whole pack? That's my gift?"
She didn't answer right away. For a moment, there was only the sound of my breath and the distant hum of voices still echoing from inside. Then she whispered, We aren't nothing, Aria. Don't let him make you believe that.
I wanted to believe her. I did. But at this moment, my heart felt as if it had been ground into powder, scattered at Damon's feet for him to trample on.
I heard gentle footsteps approaching from behind, hesitant and soft. I turned around, bracing myself for another sneer or maybe a cruel laugh, but instead, I saw Nina. Her hair was softly brown and loose around her shoulders, and she was nervously wringing her hands as if she was unsure about coming any closer.
"Aria," she said gently, "are you alright?"
A harsh laugh slipped out before I could stop it. "Do I look alright?"
Her eyes filled with pity, and for a moment, I felt a surge of dislike towards it. I didn't want to be seen as someone in need of pity. What I truly longed for was for someone to stand up and shout at Damon for his actions.
But Nina wasn't that kind of wolf. She was small and quiet like me. She didn't fight loudly. Instead, she endured and survived.
She gently reached out, hesitating for a moment before softly touching my arm. "I'm sorry. I saw what happened, and I know it was cruel. He didn't need to do it that way."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "He made sure everyone heard. That was the point."
Her touch tightened on my arm. "Then forget him. He's not worth it."
But he is, my wolf whispered inside me, pained. He's ours. The bond doesn't care about worth.
I really wanted to shout at her, at Nina, even at myself. But the words just wouldn't come out. I could only shake my head and gently pull my arm away. "You should go back inside; you don't want to be seen with me," I said softly.
"That's not true." Her voice cracked. "You're my friend."
The word "cut deep." Friend. Nina was the only one who had ever used it for me. And still, I couldn't meet her gaze. I couldn't allow her to carry my shame with me.
"I just need to be alone," I whispered.
Her lips parted as if she was about to argue, but she chose to stay silent. She gave me a final look and gently slipped back inside, the door closing with a soft thud that resonated warmly in my chest.
A hush fell around me, with only the gentle sounds of night insects and the breeze to keep me company. I eased down the wall, finding a spot on the chilly stone, with my knees tucked close to my chest, feeling a bit more at peace.
My wolf stirred again, restless. Don't let him destroy us, she pleaded. We are more than this. We have to be.
"I feel empty," I admitted in a broken voice. "Like something was ripped out of me and nothing's left."
She whimpered, curling close inside me as if to fill the hole. I'm still here. You're not alone, Aria. Not really.
I pressed my face into my knees. For a while, I stayed that way, silent tears soaking into my dress, letting her warmth keep me from shattering completely.
Then the door to the hall opened again. Loud voices spilt into the courtyard. I looked up, wiping my face with the back of my hand.
Damon stepped out.
Seeing him was an overwhelming moment for me. He always looked amazing...tall, strong, with his dark hair shimmering in the torchlight. He wasn't by himself; a girl was happily holding onto his arm, her golden hair shining brightly as if she belonged on stage, her laughter filling the air.
My breath froze in my chest.
My wolf went rigid. No...
They strolled down the steps, Damon leaning in to softly whisper something in her ear. She giggled happily, tilting her face toward his. I already had a feeling about what was coming, but my heart still longed for it not to happen.
Please, no...
And then he kissed her.
It was more than just a quick kiss or something casual. It was deep and passionate, with his hand gently holding her waist as if she was the one destiny had brought him to.
The hollow inside me widened even further, engulfing everything around me. My wolf let out a ragged howl in my thoughts, filled with grief so deep that I felt like I couldn't catch my breath.
I pressed my fist to my chest, hoping I could hold the pieces together, but it felt hopeless. The bond burned fiercely like fire, twisting painfully as he kissed someone else openly in front of me.
My wolf whimpered over and over. He was ours. Ours. How can he do this to us?
I was completely stunned and couldn't respond. I just watched silently as Damon gently pulled away from the kiss, gave a sly smirk to the girl, and then comfortably led her off into the night, feeling a mix of emotions.
The door closed quietly behind them, leaving me all alone in the dark. My heart felt heavy, like it had been taken out, squeezed tightly, and then gently scattered to the wind.
And for the first time, I wasn't sure if I would ever get it back.
