The Crystal Stone Pack
The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the Crystal Stone Pack estate, casting long, warm beams across the polished wooden floor. Outside, the sprawling grounds glimmered in golden light, the wind rustling the leaves of the ancient oaks, carrying the faint scent of the nearby river. Inside, the training room smelled faintly of sweat and leather, a subtle reminder of the hours Aiden and Ester had already spent together.
He had been patient, endlessly patient, guiding her through every movement, correcting her stance, showing her how to hold her own. She was fragile, broken by a life of fear and neglect, and he wanted—needed—to shield her from the world.
“Ester, look, look at me. You can do it. Believe in yourself,” he urged for the tenth t
