lashback to

via

said in a low, frantic ton

itation as the weight of the moment seemed oppressive. I could hear the noises of the big hall behind him, including the distant me

hoked gulp, and my voice cracked. "I m

retreated as he moved closer, his hand outstretched as if to support me. "D

man who would woo me and care for me. However, as the years went by, my reality was anything from idyllic. My family, including my father, had made it apparent who I was supposed to wed. Be

s the day of my wedding. There was no do

. "I have no other option. I am supposed to

ed. Olivia, you're not weak. You haven't be

actor? That I couldn't bear the burden of my family's legacy? That I was being

're wrong." "I lack strength.

of the anger in his gaze as his hand dropped to his side. "I

already lost and caught in a w

wiped the tears from my eyes and collected myself. With an expression that cou

d in a stern, icy

ng I could do. Any misgivings or residual hopes that I woul

omprehend. They wouldn't. I was entering a future I hadn't chosen, not

-

sive weight of that recollection b

pounded as my brain struggled to make sense of what was happening. Where am I? What became of the plans? The future

fronting the guy who had previously

think Jacob Westbrook would

broke through my mental h

ouldn't get the wolf tattoo out of my head. He was the one. He was the same individual. T

rything was

it

ccomplish this. Not right now. Not after everything. I need an

look at me with worried eyes. His question, which I had been asking myself ever

lanced in the direction of the room's corner, where the darknes

ly, there was a

r this time.

xpressions showed no signs of fear or worry, and they were uncannily serene. But thei

uiet but firm voice. "You don't

whipped my head to stare at him. "Him? Wh

by my inquiries. Rather, he took deliberate, almost predatory steps toward

instant he moved. My throat tightened each brea

the room, in the corridor, came the sound. A lady, speaking in a frantic, high-pi

he rest of us, meanwhile, remained still, pulses pounding,

gazed at Jacob. "What

ed back to face me. "What you fear th

letting in only blackness. As if whatever it was had evolved beyond mere menace

ready for

buckled under me. My body wouldn't comply as I attempted t

was on