#Chapter 62: Respite

Ella

The door to the bathroom swung shut behind me with a quiet click, muffling the ambient sounds of the courthouse’s busy hallway.

For a moment, the silence was overpowering, offering a brief respite from the chaotic world outside. Cold tiles met my stiletto heels, and I leaned over the sink, staring at my reflection. My usually vibrant eyes looked dull, and trails of tears had smeared my makeup slightly.

Taking a deep breath, I let the weight of my emotions wash over me.

I turned on the tap, letting the cold water rush over my hands before splashing some onto my face. Each droplet felt like a tiny balm against my heated skin, a fleeting relief from the oppressive weight of guilt that threatened to crush me.

“Why did I ever think this was a good idea?” I whispered, the weight of my decisions bearing down on me. My wolf stirred, a familiar presence at the back of my mind.

“We wanted to make a difference, remember?” she murmured, her voice as gentle as a summer breeze.

“But like this?