The Pack's Daughter (Aysel and Magnus) novel Chapter 159

**Midnight Letters by Daniel Crowe**
**Chapter 159**

Aysel cradled the tiny skink in her palm, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “Alright, little one, you can stay with me for a bit. When I leave, I promise to take you to the front desk to wait for your owner,” she reassured the creature, her voice a soothing melody amidst the soft patter of rain.

Alfie stood a few paces away, a storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. Logically, he knew he should take the little creature from her and walk away, yet his feet felt glued to the ground. Leaning casually against the wall, he felt like a passerby in a chance encounter, captivated by the scene unfolding beside him. Together, they watched the rain cascade down, a silent communion shared beneath the shelter of the eaves.

After what felt like an eternity, the storm began to wane, the rain easing its grip after two long hours. Aysel’s phone, nestled deep within her bag, remained silent, just as his own had. The absence of ringing seemed almost surreal, as if time had paused to allow them this moment of stillness.

Finally, when Aysel decided it was time to leave, she carefully lifted the lizard and made her way to the front desk. Alfie, almost instinctively, stepped forward to reclaim the little creature, but as he turned to glance back one last time, he caught a glimpse of her delicate silhouette. Her small backpack bobbed gently as she melted into the light drizzle, leaving behind an echo of memories.

Seven years had slipped by since that rainy day, yet the image of her face lingered in his mind, though it had begun to blur with time. He could still envision the way her features had tilted slightly as she gazed up at the sky, lost in thought, a moment suspended in time.

The next time he saw her was at Anna’s funeral. Recognition struck him like a lightning bolt; she hadn’t changed much from the girl he remembered from high school. The essence of Aysel remained, but now she radiated a striking confidence that had been absent before. Back then, she had possessed an ethereal beauty, yet shadows seemed to cling to her, as if darkness was perpetually at her periphery, waiting to envelop her. Even a fleeting glance at her had revealed layers of resilience and intelligence that belied her fragile appearance.

He had witnessed too many half-formed butterflies, trapped in their cocoons, unable to break free. Aysel’s journey had been fraught with challenges, each obstacle a testament to her strength.

When their eyes finally met, something shifted in the air, yet they felt like strangers. He had expected this; during the competition years ago, he had hidden behind a mask due to a skin allergy, and they had never exchanged even a single word.

Sometimes, Alfie found himself lost in thought, wondering what might have unfolded if he had mustered the courage to speak to her back then. But destiny had its own designs, and the opportunity had slipped through his fingers like sand.

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