y's

the quaint little cottage nestled just beyond. From this vantage point, he could see everything-the ivy-covered stone walls, the rickety porch, and the woman who had dared to step into h

is skin. It had been that way since last night when he'd first laid eyes on her. Fated mate. The words echoed in his mind, unwelcome and infuriating. He'd spent years avoiding entanglemen

uld be alone with his thoughts. But today, even the forest offered no solace. The bond was too strong, pulling at him like an invisible thread that refused to be severed. Lily Winters woke to the sound of birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves outside her window. For a moment, she felt a sense of peace, a fragile illusion that ev

e cottage was charming, but it lacked the personal touches that made a house feel like home. Lily busied herself with arranging books on the old wooden shelv

g, and the little bedroom upstairs felt less like a guest room and more like her own. She paused to admi

wy figure she'd seen the night before. She took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. It's probably just a neighbor, she

hair, a friendly smile, and an air of easy confidence that immediately put her at ease. H

ip was firm but not overwhelming, and his smile seemed genu

here, so I figured I'd come say hi. He glanced past her into the cottage, his gaze taking in the

ugh. It's a lot quieter than I'm use

u ever need anything, just let me know. The folks around he

s words that she hadn't expected. T

little diner that served the best pancakes she'd ever had, and the annual harvest festival that was just a few weeks away. Lily f

of being watched, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She glanced toward the window, her eyes scanning the forest beyond

usted Marcus with his life, but seeing another man talking to Lily stirred something primal within him

olf's instincts were screaming at him to claim her, to protect her, to ensure that no one else could take what was his. But Dominic knew better than to give in. A fated mate was a

captivating in its simplicity. She had no idea what she was, no idea of the storm she'd walked into by coming here. Dominic's ja

oughts. He turned sharply, his senses on high alert. Mar

said quietly. If I can snea

voice a low growl. I wasn't s

dding toward the cottage. You going to tell her what's really going o

ave cut through steel.

a shrug. She's not like, the othe

, and they both knew it. Lily Winters was his mate, whether he liked it or

g with the weight of what lay ahead. For better or worse, Li