ASHER'S POV
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The trees closed in around me.
Branches scraped my arms as I pushed through.
I didnât care. I couldnât feel anything except the ache in my chest.
I finally stopped near an old stump, my legs giving out.
I sat hard on the ground, my elbows on my knees, my hands in my hair.
âWhat happened?â I asked out loud. My voice sounded strange in the quiet. âWhy did she look at me like that?â
I could still hear her voiceâcold, scared, distant.
I donât know you.
Those words stabbed deeper than any claw ever could.
My throat tightened and a sound broke out of meâhalf a laugh, half a sob.
âThis is a joke, right?â I whispered to nobody. âMoon Goddess⊠tell me this is a joke.â
But no answer came.
Only the wind rustling leaves overhead.
I wiped my face roughly, but another tear s
