Chapter 40. Melody

Anastasia's POV

"You shouldn't... you shouldn't be here," Ryan murmured, his hoarse voice laden with suffering and pain. "You weren't supposed to see me like this."

The darkness of the winter garden was softly illuminated by the silvery light of the full moon, casting long, mysterious shadows over the exotic plants.

Ryan is sweating, his face contorted in anguish, his jaw clenched, clearly marking the extent of his pain. Every contour of his face seemed to highlight the torment he was going through, and the sight tore me apart inside. My heart aches for him in this situation. All I want is to embrace him and try to ease as much of his pain as I can.

Is this what Zahir meant by "something that belongs to me?" Ryan's pain belongs to me?

The winter garden, with its lush plants and exotic flowers, felt like a world apart. The full moon illuminated the garden just enough. Without my wolf Everly to help w