Chapter 121

Ashley's POV

The world seemed to sway beneath me as I stared at Caleb’s retreating, his words still echoing in my ears. The air was thick with the scent of earth and blooming flowers, but all I could smell was the metallic tang of blood from my nightmare, the suffocating memory of what I’d allowed to happen. 

I felt as if I were drowning, my wolf howling in anguish within me.

“No!” The word ripped out of my throat, raw and desperate. I stumbled forward, my knees buckling as I tried to follow him. “Caleb, please, don’t do this. Please…”

But he kept walking, his shoulders rigid, his pace steady, as if my words meant nothing. As if I meant nothing. The realization struck me like a blow to the chest, and I doubled over, clutching at my heart as if I could somehow hold the pieces together.

“Please,” I begged, my voice cracking as I fell to my knees. “Please, Caleb. I’ll do anything. Just… just don’t leave me like this.”

He paused