It’s been hours since breakfast, but the sting of my mate’s harsh words hasn’t faded. I’ve replayed them over and over in my head, each time feeling my chest tighten just a little more.
Ana must have noticed my mood because she asked me to join her in the gardens. Now we’re crouched together in the flower beds, tending to her roses. The soft hum of birds and the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze provide a welcome distraction from my swirling thoughts.
“You’re really good at this,” Ana says with a smile, watching as I carefully prune a stubborn branch.
I glance up at her and shrug, offering a small smile of my own. “It’s peaceful,” I sign, my hands moving fluidly.
Ana nods, her eyes warm with understanding. “It really is. Sometimes, it’s the only thing that keeps me sane.”
I’m about to respond when movement from across the yard catches my attention. I look up and spot the men training. My mate is at the center of it all, commanding their focus with the ease of a born leader.
My brea
