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RAFAEL POV

After attempting to rest for what felt like ages but achieving nothing, I finally emerged from the training center. The night air greeted me with a brisk slap on the cheek. I couldn't help but release a sigh before inhaling deeply, savoring the crispness of the air, and then exhaling slowly. My gaze shifted upwards to the night sky.

"Just what I needed," I muttered with a roll of my eyes. The full moon hung above, catching me by surprise with its early appearance. I hadn't anticipated its swift arrival. But here it was, unavoidable.

As I made my way toward my house, my ears picked up every sound. The absence of Winter's presence made it feel lonelier than usual. She had been gone for a while now, and yet this intense longing for her was new to me. What had changed?

It was strange, this overthinking. I was fixating on the last person I should be thinking about. I was adept at controlling my thoughts, and at pushing aside the unwanted ones. Yet, Winter's thoughts slipped thro