AMORA'S POV;
The garden felt like a hidden sanctuary, a place that somehow existed outside the world of chaos and confusion I'd been thrust into. I was grateful that Zale had at least allowed me this small freedom, this space to breathe. The garden wasn't particularly large, but it was beautiful, filled with vibrant flowers, neatly trimmed hedges, and the gentle hum of life. The kind of place that felt like it was alive in its own quiet way.
I wandered through the pathways, my fingers lightly brushing over the petals of the flowers as I went. They were soft, delicate—so unlike anything in my life right now. I found a small stone bench under a sprawling oak tree and sat down, my eyes drifting up to the sky. It was one of those skies that seemed endless, a soft blue canvas with only a few clouds drifting lazily by. For the first time in what felt like ages, I let myself relax, just a little.
My thoughts were still tangled in everything that had happened—the pain, the fear, waking up in a strange place, the tension that seemed to follow Zale wherever he went. And then there was the wolf, that magnificent creature that had come to me in my darkest moment, when I was lost and afraid. The memory of those silver eyes watching me, protecting me, made my heart twist in a way I couldn't quite explain.
I let out a sigh, pulling my knees up to my chest as I rested my chin on them, trying to make sense of the mess my life had become. Just then, a rustling sound came from the bushes nearby, startling me out of my thoughts. My body tensed, every muscle on high alert as I stared at the dense foliage, waiting to see what would emerge.
And then, he appeared.
The silver wolf. The same one who had saved me.
He stepped out from the garden, his fur glistening in the soft sunlight, his movements graceful yet powerful. For a moment, my instinct was to be afraid—after all, he was a wolf, and everything I knew told me to keep my distance. But something about him was different, something that made me pause and really look at him.
His eyes met mine, and I recognized them instantly. Those eyes were the same ones that had stared into mine on that terrible night, the ones that had promised safety when everything else seemed to be falling apart. It was him—my silent guardian, the one who had come to my rescue when I'd been too broken to help myself.
He came closer, each step deliberate, his gaze never leaving mine. My breath hitched, and I thought he might stop, might keep his distance. But he didn't. He came right up to me and then did something I never expected—he lay down at my feet, his massive head resting on his paws, his body curled protectively around me.
I couldn't believe it. This wild, beautiful creature was here, at my feet, like he belonged there, like he was meant to be by my side. I hesitated, my hand hovering in the air above his fur. I wanted to touch him, to feel the softness of his coat, to know that he was real and not just some figment of my imagination.
Slowly, carefully, I reached down, my fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against the thick silver fur. For a moment, I froze, half-expecting him to snap at me or to pull away. But he didn't. He just lay there, his eyes watching me with a patience that seemed endless. And then, as if to reassure me, his tail gave a little wag, a small, gentle movement that made my heart skip a beat.
"You're not what I expected," I whispered, my voice barely more than a breath. "I'm supposed to be terrified of you, aren't I? You're a wolf. You could probably tear me apart if you wanted to."
He didn't move, just kept watching me with those eyes that seemed to understand everything I was saying, everything I wasn't saying.
"But I'm not afraid of you," I continued, my voice growing a little stronger. "I don't know why, but I feel like I should be thanking you. You saved my life. I was... I was so lost, so scared, and you were there."
My fingers moved gently through his fur, stroking the soft, warm coat. It was like touching something both wild and tame at the same time, something that held power but also a strange kind of gentleness. I couldn't believe how natural it felt to sit here with him, how easily my fear melted away in his presence.
"How did you even get here?" I asked, more to myself than to him, though a part of me almost hoped he'd answer. "How did you know where to find me?"
The wolf didn't speak, of course, but his eyes seemed to hold a thousand answers, a depth of understanding that went far beyond anything I could comprehend. It was like he knew me, like he saw right through to the parts of me that I tried to hide from everyone else.
Before I realized what I was doing, I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around his neck in a hesitant embrace. For a second, I thought he might pull away, that he'd reject my touch. But he didn't. Instead, he nuzzled closer, his head pressing gently into my shoulder, a soft rumble of contentment vibrating through his chest.
I let out a shaky breath, my fingers tangling in his fur as I held onto him, feeling his warmth seep into me. It was the first time in a long time that I'd felt safe, truly safe, like nothing in the world could hurt me as long as he was here.
"Thank you," I whispered into his fur, my voice breaking just a little. "Thank you for saving me. I don't know how you did it, or why, but I'm glad you were there."
The wolf's tail wagged again, a little stronger this time, like he was acknowledging my words, like he understood everything I was saying. I pulled back slightly to look into his eyes, and for the briefest moment, I could have sworn I saw something in them—something almost human, a flicker of emotion that took my breath away.
I didn't know how it was possible, how a wolf could look at me like that, like he was more than just an animal. Like he was something more. Someone more.
"How is it that I'm not scared of you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. "How is it that I feel like I've known you all my life, even though I just met you?"
The wolf didn't answer, but he didn't need to. His presence was answer enough, his steady gaze a silent promise that he'd be there, that he wasn't going anywhere. I couldn't explain the connection I felt to him, the pull that seemed to draw me closer, but I didn't need to. All I knew was that in this moment, with the sun shining down and the world quiet around us, I wasn't alone.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.