Elara
The morning after the festival, Moonridge no longer felt the same.
The laughter was gone.
The music had faded.
Only the memories remained.
As I carried fresh water from the well, I noticed people staring again.
Not with the suspicion they had shown before.
This time…
They were watching Kael.
Or rather…
Watching the way he watched me.
Whispers followed us wherever we went.
“The Blackthorn Alpha danced with her twice.”
“Did you see him walk her home?”
“They stood together beneath the bridge long after the music ended.”
I lowered my eyes and hurried away.
I had spent my entire life trying not to be noticed.
Now it felt impossible to disappear.
The estate was unusually busy.
Messengers arrived one after another, their horses covered in sweat.
Warriors rushed through t
