“Silas?”I whisper.He lifts his head immediately, eyes sharp and focused on me.“Are you angry at me?”
He looks startled.“What?No.Never.Aria...”
I wrap my arms around myself.“You looked—”
“Angry atthem,” he says quickly.“Not you.Never you.Not a single shifter that was taken by the Hunters deserves anger.It’s no one’s fault except theirs.”He spits out the word like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth.
My throat closes again.“I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Don’t apologize.”His voice softens to a low rumble.“You shared something painful.I’m honored you trusted me enough to do that.”
Honored.Like my pain is worth something.Like my voice matters.My leopard presses against me, confused, curious, and leaning forward instead of retreating.I’m trembling before I realize it but Silas notices instantly.
“Aria,” he says softly.“Talk to me.What’s wrong?”
I shake my head, unable to explain.Too many emotions.Too much vulnerability.Too many years of being punished for speaking.He stands slowly, not approaching, but shifting his posture in a way that somehow lowers the tension in the room.
“You’re safe,” he says gently.“You’re safe with me.”
My breath catches as I tilt my head to stare at him.“Why does hearing you say that ...hurt?”
His expression cracks in the softest, saddest way.“Because no one ever meant it before.”
Tears burn behind my eyes.One escapes before I can blink it back.Silas goes very still.He doesn’t move closer.He doesn’t reach for me.He just softens his voice until it’s barely above a whisper.
“Aria?”
“Yeah?”My voice breaks.
“Can I sit closer?”
My breath stutters as I nod.He moves to the bed, slowly, carefully, and sits beside me, leaving a respectful space.But close enough that I feel his warmth.His presence.His strength.
I curl my fingers in the blanket.
He notices my trembling hands and asks softly, “Do you want me to hold your hand?”
I can barely breathe.“I don’t know.”
“That’s okay.”His voice is gentle.“Then I’ll just sit here.”
He does.Quiet, steady, and patient.Minutes pass in silence.My tears stop and my breathing steadies.The bond flickers, not painful this time.Just warm.Just alive.
My leopard nudges me again.Before I can overthink, I move my hand one inch.Then another.Then another.Until my fingers brush his.
He freezes.Not a muscle moves.Not a single breath escapes too loudly.He waits for me.Always waiting.My hand shakes as I place it fully on top of his.Our skin barely touches, just the fingertips.Electricity races up my arm and my heart jumps.
Silas inhales sharply, as if the contact surprises him.
“Aria...”His voice is a low growl of emotion.
I don’t pull back.I hold his hand, just barely, and whisper, “Stay.”
His fingers curl around mine so gently it almost isn’t a touch.But it is.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he murmurs.
I close my eyes.And for the first time, the bond doesn’t flicker in pain.It glows.Soft, warm, and real.
