Azura's POV
I stood near the edge of the stream, my eyes fixed on the petals scattered across the damp earth.
Welcome back, Mud.
The name hit my chest like a sudden splash of warm water. A thick wave of familiarity filled my heart, pulling up distant, faded memories from a lifetime ago.
I heard soft footsteps rustling through the fallen leaves behind me. A second later, the air rippled with the unmistakable pull of our mate bond, warming the back of my neck.
I turned around slowly, my golden dress brushing against the tall grass.
Rhydor was standing a few feet away, dressed in a soft linen tunic rather than his heavy Alpha armor. His dark brown hair was neatly brushed back, away from his face. In his right hand, he held a single, long-stemmed red rose.
"Welcome back, Mud," he said softly, his voice full of quiet warmth.
I stood completely still, staring at him in total silence. My mind was spinning. How on earth did he know that name? How did he know this place?
