Shadows on her heart

Arabella's POV

This place is a damn time capsule. I stepped out of the car and inhaled the scent of pine and damp earth. It hit me like a punch to the gut, triggering memories I wasn't ready to face. Some were sweet, others bittersweet, and the rest... unbearable.

Gerrard stretched beside me, slamming the car door shut. His toned muscles rippled under his shirt as he yawned. "Let's see if the people here have gotten any less dramatic. I highly doubt it!" He winked, and I shot him a sideways glance.

The towering trees and rustic buildings of the pack's territory had not changed a bit. Everything looked just as it had when I left years ago. It was unsettling how familiar it all felt, like whispers from the woods were calling me back. Voices of people I had known in another life, trying to reveal secrets I wasn't ready to hear.

"Arabella? Is that you?"

The sound yanked me out of my thoughts. The whispers disappeared as I turned to see an elderly woman approaching.

It was my homeless bestie woman,Sarah.Though we shared a huge age gap.

Her face lit up beneath the map of wrinkles time had drawn on her skin. Before I could brace myself, she pulled me into a tight hug.

"You have been gone too long, girl," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "Nobody ever helped comb my hair like you did. No one perfumed my dress. It's good to see you back."

I hugged her back, guilt clawing at my chest. I had fled, chasing my own sanity and leaving people like Sarah behind. People who might have needed me."Good to be back, Sarah!" I lied, forcing a smile.

My eyes drifted to another figure walking toward me, arms wide open.

It was Veronica. My childhood friend. "Gosh! Babe, you are finally back. I thought I would never see you again. I missed you!"

We kissed each other's cheeks, the familiarity of the gesture soothing and strange all at once.

"I missed you too. How is life treating you?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Busy as always, trying to make ends meet, you know..." Her voice trailed off, but then she smiled brightly and rubbed my shoulder. "It is going to be better now that you are here. I heard you did great at university. The Pack is so excited to have you back."

I nodded, even though I was not sure how to feel about it. Of course, I did great at university. I had to. There was no room for weakness at Med School. It was me and my dream against the world.

Before I could respond, a hush fell over the small crowd that had gathered. My heart dropped as I turned to see him.

Asher Darkheart. The Alpha of the Blood Crescent Pack. The man I had loved for as long as I could remember. The man who had broken my heart.

His dark blue eyes locked onto mine,