Chapter 101

Arya. The moon hung low in the night sky, casting eerie shadows through the dense foliage of the forest. I stood there, waiting, my senses heightened, my heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and anger. And then, like a ghost emerging from the mist, Alison stepped into view, her figure cloaked in darkness. "Finally decided to show your face, huh?" I sneered. "Or you couldn't find anywhere else to hide?" Alison tilted her head, a small smirk playing on her lips. "You've gotten quite bold, you know," she replied. "You didn't even bother to search for your family. How insolent." Family. The word echoed in my mind like a bitter refrain. Family was supposed to be a sanctuary, a place of love and support. But for me, it had been nothing but a cage, a prison of betrayal. "Family?" I scoffed. "That's rich, coming from you. The forest wasn't comfortable enough?" Alison's gaze hardened, her eyes narrowing as she took a step closer. "We are still your family, Arya, despite everythin