id not

lf shifted under her skin, restless, wounded. The bo

wet from tears.

the dark. "Why di

came. On

ed until she felt

d her hair back. She

d pale, weak, lost.

ed faint. "You

il her fingers hurt. She forced her

reminder. He had spoken the rej

it. She

reath

ot left hi

rts. Patrol routes. Trade ag

his head i

his mind. Her face. The tears he had c

ed inside him

wled. "I

ill lo

. His hands shook. His ch

n Alpha's mate must be strong. Must fight b

ld not accept it

fist on the desk.

ain hit him through the bond. I

m when the sun se

et. She moved quic

r. Some whispered. Some stared.

rs back. She walked pa

near the gate. "Aria.

s flat. "To

ched as if he wanted to s

er voice did not br

. Then he nodded

p. She walked until th

irred insid

she

forest blurred. The cold wind cut her

with every step. She hated it

. The water rushed fast,

ank. Her reflection l

stayed clear. "He

howled in

efore he realized it. His wol

f it was patro

closer to her. The bo

He smelled her. H

he scent. The

y the river. Her hair loo

His thro

ifted. The

ond r

Pain and fire b

ice cut sharp. "W

lungs. His voice was lo

After calling me weak? After te

d forward

like a whip. "Do

deep. Still, h

hook but held strength. "You br

d. The truth fou

as w

rds hit her. She

ice dropped to a whisp

them pulsed ho

d her. His hand

eyes filled with tea

ting of rejection again. Pa

e caught her arm

them both. The bo

olf leaned into him e

t sharp. "Why

His voice was raw. "

yes w

I wanted you. But I thought you wer

voice shook. "You do

and. His head lo

between them. Th

. Her shoulders sti

His chest burne

to the trees. The

he riverbank. Her breath broke

pered. "He is

n he will see me. Or I

er chest still burned, bu

is chambers. He sl

him. Her voice ec

r. His hands covered his

You hurt her. And s

led. "I

rp. He pressed his

her. But the p

old himself, he would n

re dawn. She h

om running. Her eyes

dressed. She braide

he kitchen. Her face wa

r head. "I ne

small bag. Bread. Dried

ce was quiet. "W

lenched. "Aw

red. But the

uched hers. "You can

with tears. She pul

alked

st stretched wide. Her wol

rt. But she m

ith Kael. But her voice

be his shadow. I will find my

ed her deeper

urney h