Aria’s POV
The morning was cold, quiet, and still, almost as if the wind itself was hesitant to stir the trees. I found myself gazing out the window of my room, watching the frost gently cling to the glass as I tried to keep my mind from wandering to what today might bring. Damon’s command still lingered in my thoughts, a reminder of the uncertainties ahead.
“Pack your things. You’ll leave at dawn.”
No argument. No explanation. Just that.
I knew this moment was inevitable, and I understood that the silence between us could only last so long before it shattered. Still, knowing didn’t quite ease the ache. My chest felt heavy as I packed the last of my clothes into a small leather satchel. Every sound seemed amplified, the rustling fabric, the gentle click of the buckle. The feeling of fa
