-PIPPA-
"Who told you about my curse?" I asked Aaron, my voice steady, but my stomach twisted.
His lips pressed into a thin line, his expression a flicker between regret and unease.
"S.hit. I wasn’t supposed to talk about this." He shifted in his seat, fingers drumming against his knee, a restless beat. "Helios mentioned once that you're cursed, that you can't sense your mate. But—yeah, I wasn't supposed to tell you that."
His eyes held something unreadable. Pity? Hesitation? A deeper truth he didn't dare voice?
Heat prickled behind my ribs.
"He did?" I exhaled, the words felt heavier once spoken, like they'd settled deep in my chest. "I never asked anyone to keep it a secret, but it’s personal, you know? I hate feeling like I’m some charity case." My voice edged with something raw.
