The first light of dawn spilled through the tall windows of the Alpha's Mansion, painting the walls in soft gold. But Aria did not feel the warmth. Instead, a cold knot twisted in her chest, tightening with every breath.
She sat by her window, staring out where the morning mist curled around the ancient oaks like ghostly fingers. The words of the prophecy echoed in her mind.
"You must love… but not possess. Choose… but not with fear."
The threat behind those words was clear: choose wrong, or don't choose at all, and all would perish.
Liora entered quietly, her footsteps soft on the thick carpet. She settled on the bed behind Aria, gently brushing the black strands of hair away from Aria's face.
"Still awake?" Liora's voice was a soothing whisper.
Aria nodded. "I can't stop thinking about it… about the prophecy, the rogues, the curse. What if I fail? What if I'm not strong enough?"
