Aria’s Point of View
I couldn’t move. My feet felt glued to the floor as Marielle mentioned my mother’s name. The way she said it made my heart race, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
Tears streamed down her face before she could even say another word. I stood frozen, trying to make sense of everything. Then, through her sobs, she spoke again.
“You don’t recognize me, do you?” she asked, her voice trembling.
I shook my head slowly, confused. Her face looked unfamiliar to me, and yet, something about her words felt oddly familiar.
She wiped her tears and took a shaky breath. “It’s me, Aria. It’s your Aunt Marielle. I… I look different now, I know. My face was scarred by the wolves who attacked our pack then. But it’s really me.”
Aunt Marialle? My mother’s sister? My chest ti
