I lay in bed, my chest aching with the wounds of a broken mate bond. The pain was unbearable, and I felt like a part of me had been ripped away. I had never felt so alone, so lost. But Riley was there, sitting beside me, holding my hand.
"It'll get better," she said softly, her thumb rubbing circles on the back of my hand. "I promise."
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "I don't know if it will," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I've lost a part of myself."
Riley leaned in closer, "You haven't lost anything," she whispered. "You're still you, Astrid."
I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of her hands. The pain in my chest was too much.
Riley seemed to sense my discomfort and she caressed my left chest, her hand still holding mine. "I'll be here for yo
