Ellie sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the frost-covered window. The cold morning light barely filtered through, casting her room in a dim, muted glow. Her chest felt hollow, her thoughts spinning in endless loops. She replayed the moment over and over in her mind: Nick’s smile fading, his words faltering, the look of fear and anger on his face.
"Why?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "Why would he reject me?"
Kida stirred faintly within her, the wolf’s usual fiery energy subdued. "I don’t understand," Kida murmured, her tone tinged with both hurt and confusion. "He’s our mate. The bond is still there—I can feel it. Why would he deny what’s meant to be?"
Ellie pressed her hands to her temples, willing herself to think clearly. The rejection stung more than sh
