Aurora sat on the edge of the bed, her chest still heaving from the dream.
Her fingers brushed the place over her heart, where warmth still lingered, pulsing faintly — steady, alive. The sunlight creeping through the curtains painted her skin in soft gold, but her mind was far from calm.
Was that real? she wondered. Was she?
As if summoned by her thoughts, the familiar voice stirred again in her head.
You doubt too much, Ayria teased, her tone a soft rumble that felt like velvet and thunder. You’ve hidden from yourself for so long that you forgot what it feels like to be complete.
Aurora froze, her heart skipping. “Ayria?” she whispered, glancing around as if the wolf would somehow appear again.
I’m here, the voice replied. And now that I am, I’m not leaving you again.
The warmth in
