Aria's POV
Elona struggled beneath my hand. "Mommy..."
The word shattered me. I released her instantly. She sucked in a desperate breath and burst into tears.
I stumbled backward. "No, no, no..."
My hands shook violently. I stared at them as though they belonged to someone else. I hadn't been dreaming. It had been real. I had been standing beside my daughter's bed. My hand had been around her throat. I had done it myself.
The door slammed open.
"Aria!"
Damon rushed inside. His Alpha presence exploded through the room, and Rhein surged forward beneath his skin. Damon's gaze immediately landed on Elona. Then on me.
"What happened?"
Elona cried harder. I couldn't answer. I backed away until my shoulders hit the wall.
Damon rushed to the bed and scooped her into his arms. "Elona."
S
