#Chapter 179: Mate Reincarnated

Ella’s POV I found Anya sitting on one of the benches in the garden with her face buried in her hands, red and cold feathers scattered around her like fallen leaves. The sound of her soft sobs made tears burn in my own eyes. The last thing I ever wanted was to see her, of all people, cry. Not Anya, the sweet and kind girl who only ever wanted to help her family. The girl who had become one of my closest friends when I had felt lonelier than ever. “Anya.” I sat down beside her and placed a gentle hand on her back. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was going to do that, and I assure you, I don’t want it.” She lifted her head, causing my heart to crack even further. Her mascara was running down her cheeks in dark tracks, her tears washing away the powder that had briefly covered the handprint that was still spreading across one side of her face. “It’s not your fault, Stella,” she managed between hiccups. “I don’t blame you.” Her kindness just turned my a