on my shoulder had felt almost gentle, a strange contrast to the hard edges of his world. I knew I should keep my

to some undisclosed location. And every time, he seemed to sense my gaze, his eyes meeting mine for a brief, electrifying moment

ithin the mansion, finding comfort among the blooming flowers and quiet night air. But I was

ed, his voice softer tha

h just the moonlight illuminating his face, he s

lips. "This was my mother's favorite spot," he sai

t caught me off guard. "It's beautiful," I replied, looking

me, his expression unreadable. "This isn't the life

ooked down, feeling a mix of anger a

icker of regret in his eyes. "Sometimes, choices are taken from

instantly changed, his entire body tensing as he reached for a concealed

uld fully process what was happening, he was leading me back into the mansio

locks. The tension in the air was thick, and I felt a shiver of fear mi

voice low. "The people who want to hurt m

r and the unmistakable thrill of his prote

ecause, Bella, whether you realize i

ar and excitement flooding through me. At that moment, I saw something in a flicker of vu