Chapter 84

“Ariel?” The woman's voice was muffled and distant, as if it were being filtered through a thick layer of water. “Ariel, what happened?” The voice grew slightly louder, but it still sounded like it was coming from beneath the surface of a stagnant pool.

The voice dripped of concern, of a love that she had always yearned for, and more tears dropped from her eyes.

“What is wrong? Did you see your wolf?” The woman held her hands, squeezing them occasionally, but Ariel shook her head. The words were stuck in her throat like a morsel of food that refused to come down.

“Excuse me?” She croaked out a sob, her voice cracking with emotion, as she ran out of the room. Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision, but she didn't need to see to know where she was going. Her instincts guided her until she reached the safety of her door.

“Miss Ariel, you are back.” She heard the bodyguard say, but she pushed him away, jerked the door open, and closed it, making sure to secure it well before sh