ssa'

g seemed like a misguided decision. Despite her illness, I had only reached ou

, away from the probing questions and judgment that would inevitably follow. I wasn't ready to confront th

pointless, only serving to disrupt the harmonious relationships they had with others in the pack

life because of our situation weighed heavily on me. I could

reconnected with them. My years in the human world had shifted my perspective on many things, leading me to pursue a career as

ck from Canada. I didn't plan to stay long, hence my minimal packing, intending to mourn briefly before visiting my parents a

, but it was difficult to tear my gaze away. Even Evie's uneasiness with

ut notice the familiarity of certain feelings resurfacing. The tug I felt in his embrace earlie

ends mere physicality. His broad stature and rugged charm, combined with the maturity etched into his features, create an undenia

rhaps it's the wisdom and depth behind those knowing eyes that draws me in, or the magnetic aura of auth

ng her cheeks, fills me with a mixture of longing and guilt. I've missed my best friend

hing on my best friend's father and my Alpha feels like a betrayal of the highest order. I swallow hard

will react when he discovers I still haven't shifted. The thought of his potential mockery sends a sharp pang of insecurity thr

t still in my head then she

AT

ief and confusion through me. His eyes, shifting from icy blue to golden, confirm

sserting itself. But her agitation mirrors my own, and I struggle to make sense of what just occurred. Was it on

mand, my voice tinged with

t's clear that neither of us knows how to

icting emotions. How could this be happening? My mate is supposed to be Alfie, who rejected me w

mb my senses until I can barely feel my own body. I just want to shut out the world

on. How did I end up mated to my best friend's father? To my father's clo

against mine. Panic sets in as I realize the implications o

myself naked in Alpha Alexander's study, with him lying beside me. Panic courses through me as I try to make sens

r with a thud. Determined, I push myself up again, only to come face

uation. This cannot be happening. I repeat the word like a

a wave of dread wash over me. His gaze trails down my naked body and back up a

his head and struggles to his feet. The air is thick with tension

r, and the evidence of our encounter is smeared with blood on the couch where he lay.

from his throat, sending shivers down my spine. It's the kind of growl that trigger

th anger and accusation. "What did you do, Vanessa?" he demands,

aze, and tears stream down my face uncontrollably. It's been years since I last cried, but in this

nd disbelief. His hand tightens around my neck, cutting off my air suppl

e presence of a mark. His grip tightens further, squeezing the brea

exander has marked me as his mate against his will,

manage to stutter out, my

rejection. "I don't want a fucking mate! I don't want y

t one of love, but of tragedy and despair. And as the weight of his rejection settles up

ved me away, causing me to fall back onto the floor with a painful thud. Tears streamed

he heavy silence was punctuated by Alpha Alexander's ragged breathing as he attempted to regain his composur

"This is going to be your personal hell, Vanessa. You have dug your own grave! Instead of

cking me inside with my torment. The weight of his condemnation cr

own parents blamed me for the turmoil that had engulfed our lives. It was a cruel twis