Amara’s POV
The next day, I decided to take a walk through the woods near the house. The fresh air and solitude felt like the perfect way to clear my head. The events of the past week had left me drained, emotionally and physically. My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts, Jaxon, Ryder, and Caden all occupying spaces they shouldn’t.
I stopped by a small stream, the sound of water rushing over rocks soothing my frayed nerves. As I crouched to run my fingers through the cold water, a voice behind me made me freeze.
“Amara.”
I turned slowly, my heart sinking as I saw Ryder standing a few feet away. He looked disheveled, his dark eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place—guilt, frustration, desperation?
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my tone sharper than I i
