ey's

e?" he asked, his voice

lied, my voice barely above a whisper. His pi

econds, and I could feel my

ion. He quickly released my gaze but not without a

eave," he s

ted for a moment, unsure if I should stay, but his word

said, gripping

d the others, and m

have

mean to touch you. I... I was just concerned when... when I noticed you

gh of relief, but before I could fully p

t she?" he demanded,

t... breathe," I gasped, my

ell to the floor, panting as

whomever I choose, and I refuse to fall for her whim

sk, pulled out a white en

That is your dismissal letter. Never

f, staring at the envelope as i

really need this job, Sir! My mom... my mom has been in a vegetative state for six months now, and I'm owing the hospital t

ing my face tightly, his ex

ou in my company, and that's the end of it. I don't want to see your face

ut?!" he barked, and I scrambled to my fee

**

en's

said as she walked into my office, her voic

lips with more venom than I intended. She q

d anger. How on Earth did my supposed soulmate find a job right in my company at the exact mom

r control me. I trusted her once, and she failed me. She's deceitfu

e.

hrough my head, like someone was cracking my

ified, a relentless wave crashing over me, a

g as I dialed Liam. It rang twice before he

elled, wincing again as another wave

suddenly he grabbed his head, screaming, and then he col

take him to the Moon Goddess's shrine. I'm sure this is one of her tricks t

in rhythm with the throbbing in my head. I tried to stand, but my legs buckl

a few moments of peace? Let me go meet your mouthpiece!" I spat, for

ed out of my office, adrenali

Debby yelled after m

the trees blurring into a green haze around me. The headache still clawed

under my breath, each word l

nto the forest as I could, the trees towering around me like silent sentinels, before final

n continue walking again, the pain throbbing in rhythm with my heartbeat. The for

ot twisted in my gut at the sight, and I felt a surge of desperation as Willi

She ran towards me, worry etched across her fa

n?" she asked, conce

her away gently, the urgency d

anded, scanning the area for t

wn my spine. I felt a surge of rage at the sight of her, wanting nothing more tha

" I asked coldly, my voice ste

me. The goddess wants you bonded to your mate right here

he words faltered as another wave of pain crashed over me. I

is your will too," the priestess st

I yelled, desperation spilling from my voice. The priestess bent

eath. "What... what happened,

the goddess's decree. Liam being like this is your undoing, Steven. This time, only you and those you share a blood relation with wer