The air was still.
Too still.
"Master?" Luna called instinctively.
Her voice echoed, swallowed by the trees.
Her ears flattened.
"Master…?" She whispered again, softer now.
A sound came from ahead.
Footsteps.
Her heart leapt.
She broke into a run.
Branches blurred past her as she tore through the forest, paws light, breath sharp. She didn't think. She didn't plan.
She ran.
"Master!" She shouted.
Ahead—between the trees—she saw him.
Aiden.
Back turned.
Walking away.
Relief hit her so hard it almost hurt.
"MASTER!" Luna sprinted faster. "Wait! Don't go! I'm here!"
He didn't turn.
Didn't slow.
Didn't answer.
Panic surged.
She pushed harder.
Her legs felt heavy.
The ground sloped upward, roots snagging at her boots. Her tail lashed behind her.
"Master—please—!" Her voice cracked.
"Wait for me!"
She reached out.
Her fingers brushed air.
He was always just out of reach.
No matter how fast she ran, the distance never closed.
Her chest tightened.
