o a never-ending ordeal of pain. It was a far cry from the life I once knew,

you deeply" I mutte

nd and stand up for myself. But now, it was as though I had lost all that strengt

sions to flood my mind. I had believed that I was making the right choices, follo

t suffocating, as if the walls were closing in on me. The air in the room seemed thick with my

tion. He was missing, and I worried about his safety. The hope of his return was the only

. I longed for a way out, a chance to break free from the

certainty of my future hung over me, and I wondered if I would ever escape this life of torment that had becom

sing down on me. It was as though the walls themselves were closing in on my misery.

verything else. It was in that moment, amid the echoes of my pain, tha

wrapped his strong arms around me in a tender embrace, holding me close. It was as if h

moment, he muttered

ad spoken were like a balm to my wounded heart, but they also left me questioning their since

e that contradicted the ruthless alpha I had known. His features, usuall

of love. Had it been a dream or a product of my own longing

ceful sleep. The room was still, and the silence hung heavy in the ai

is expression free from the usual hardness that marked his demeanor. It was as if the weight

with a sincerity that had struck a chord deep within me. But I couldn't ignore

if he truly loved me and was j

elp but wonder if there was more to him than met the eye. Was it possible that

s eyes slowly opening to meet mine. His words, uttered w

y heart racing as I tried to process what had just happened. It was as t

, his strong arms wrapping around me in a gentle embrace. Time seeme

of affection. It was a stark contrast to the harsh and domineering alpha I had know

with an intensity that seemed to strip away all pretenses. He spoke in a voice that held a touch of re

round myself begin to crumble. It was as though a weight had been lifted, and

've been living in a nightmare, Lucien. I've longed for the person

Lucien, I appreciate your apology. It means a lot to

ruthless, and I can't erase the pain I've caused you. But

small smile, my heart aching to let go o

zed my hand gently. "Thank you,

r kiss, sealing our comm

echoed in the distance, a mournful