pte

so gentle, like a whisper in my mind. The contrast between his words and the destruction he's caused couldn't be more stark, and I can't help but wonder if I've somehow mis

d he growls roughly in response. Here it comes. He's finally going to end this miserable

all that person being me, he growls in my

en it

houghts so easily. My breath catches in my throat as I stumble backward, my mind reeling. This... this can't

fucking A

ll there, gnawing at my insides, burning with the heat of an unbearable realization. Alpha Lupine, the terrifyin

mate. A monster who can kill without hesitation, who sees everyone around him as pawns in a game of p

cks the side of my face. The action is so tender, so absurdly out of place

eph

onfusion and fear. And then, just like that, Alpha Lupine starts walking away, and I'm left trailing behind him, unable to d

, rumbling sound that's less a threat and more a reminder. A reminder that no matter how far I try to run, no mat

im, stating the obvious. He's reminding me tha

y mate is a monster. Of course he is. What other kind of mate would I get? One who's

t I'm still alive. Some are more interested in the fact that I'm walking alongside the Alpha. But it's Kaiden's gaze t

pidly, I know that the moment I walk away from him, it will be for the last time. I'll neve

e's not paying attention to me.

gainst it, forcing myself to take a step back from the towering figure in front of me. I veer off the path and head toward Kaiden. Eve

ide with worry. His posture is stiff, but I can see the relief in his expres

reflex. The bond between us, even though we're not mates, has always been strong. I've never kno

his footsteps. I can feel him-his presence-looming behind me. The air grows heavier

d I feel the weight of his regret. He knows what this means. He knows that I'm trap

y from him befor

h Kaiden. I want to hold onto the last piece of the life I had. But the power in t

order me around. I'm his mate, damn it. He said he wouldn't hurt me. Wh

a warning, a reminder that he can-and will-make me obey if necessary. I hesitate, my heart aching for Kaiden,

His jaw is clenched, his muscles taut, but there's something else there too-something softer, alm

voice barely audible but clear in m

trying to keep control, to hold onto whatever shred of decency he has left. But I can see it. Beneath the rage, bene

ll a monster

ith him for the