phin

l bag from the back of the closet. I couldn't take anything that

ument, the sound of an engine cut through the

undeniable pull of the mate bond. I quickly shoved the

door was t

of the night and the overpowering scent of cedar. The jasmine scent

ndsome face was etched with irritation and fatigue. When hi

he asked, his voice

to see the hatred in my eyes. "

a Dominion pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. My inner w

ow. "Waiting for me?" He gripped my chin, forcing my head up

d sent a traitorous shiver across my skin.

, guttural growl in the back of his mind, a

isgust. He seemed to be tormented by his

r made this mistake," he whispere

hed his mouth

anger, possession, and humiliation. His teeth scraped agai

rushing me against him. The kiss amplified the wou

focate, a soft, tentative voi

ack? I'm a little

an f

tumbled backward, my spine hitting the bedpost with a

raightened his clothes, his face

" he said coolly, his attention already f

room, closing the door softly behin

ore through me. Blood seeped between my fingers. The double

ears of misplaced love finally crumb

pulled the rejection docu

my finger into the blood on my lips and, in the spac

d a single l

Hayes, accept

tly in the center of his pillow. It was my final go

ithout a backward glance, walked out of the gil

on estate. Every step sent a jolt of pain t

eserted road, with n

g my vision blur, and streng

base of a large oak tree and