I grabbed the box and headed outside. The clearing was quiet, bathed in the soft light of the full moon. It was the same place where our pack held celebrations and ceremonies, but tonight, it was just for me.
I set the box in the middle of the fire pit and lit a match. The flames caught quickly, swallowing the mementos one by one. The bracelet melted, the paper curled into ash, and with each piece that burned, I felt lighter.
This was my way of letting go.
The sound of footsteps made me glance over my shoulder. Damon was storming toward me, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“Elara, what the hell are you doing?!” he shouted.
I didn’t look at him, keeping my focus on the fire.
He came closer, his voice rising. “You’re burning everything? Are you insane? Those were our memories!”
I finally turned to face him, my voice calm. “Your memories, Damon. Not mine. This was all stuff you gave me to make yourself feel better. I’m done carrying it around.”
He stared at me, his frustration boiling over. “You’re seriously just throwing it all away? Like none of it ever mattered?”
I shrugged, keeping my tone even. “It mattered to me once, but not anymore. You made sure of that.”