f my own thoughts. One morning, I walked into the gardens, hoping to find comfort a

ight?" he said,

ng around to see Jaxon, Magnus' all

ng up?" he asked,

I'm surviving," I said, trying to k

m Jaxon, by the way," he intro

" I replied, feeling a mi

eaded?" he asked, sti

just taking a walk," I

ed politely. I shrugged, trying to

with the usual heaviness. "So, what are your hobbie

the middle of pack troubles. "Well, I used to love

see your paintings sometime," J

I admitted. My inner wolf, Silver, seemed curious, ack

sked, shifting the conversation away from the heavy stuff. "I enjoy a good r

Silver silently agreeing. "M

surprising sense of friendship started to grow. But suddenly, a voice inter

a year after he was banished, hoping to hear his voice, but he never reached out. Now, h

sign that he still cared. "Get back here right now," he commanded sternly, and then he closed

s there, and I could see the worry on his face. Suddenly serious, I told h

ide. The atmosphere had shifted, and Magnus awaited my return with a cold, unsh

onto mine. "You think you can just wander off without my permis

u, Magnus," I stammered, my voice be

Jaxon. "What business do you have with my mistr

, raised his hands defensively. "Just

cutting through any remnants of pride or dignity. "You forgot

pleading for understanding, for a

ith a wave of his hand. "Go to your quar

the weight of his judgment. Once the love of his life, I was now

ight of the title "mistress" echoed in my mind like a hau

ing in that forsaken dungeon. Lost in thought, Silver's unease abruptly interrupted me, and then the unmistakable scent of Magnus reached

hadow. I didn't recognize her; she seemed from another pa

growled silently in response, fueling my own resentment an

o wander into the woods?" Magn

a walk in the garden," I defended,

er facial expressions like a stormy sky. "Who is she?" s

baby. Just an ordinary mistress, a plaything," he chuckled, and they shared an unsettling laugh.

ed before leaving with the femme. The pain in my heart was over