Chapter 53 : The Heart Remembers II
Al's POV
The pain receded slowly—like a tide pulling back after wrecking the shore. The flashes, the blood, the voices—they all vanished, leaving behind only the hollow echo of my heartbeat.
I blinked. My breath came in ragged bursts, chest heaving as the world drifted back into focus.
Jayla was at my side in an instant, her hand gripping my arm tight enough to steady the shaking. Ruby padded forward fast, still in his wolf form, his fur bristling with panic. He pressed his snout to my cheek, soft and trembling, his golden eyes wide with worry.
“Alaric! What happened? Are you hurt?” Jayla’s voice broke the silence, sharp with fear.
I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “I’m… I’m okay.” My voice sounded distant, raw. “It was just…” I paused, drawing a
