sia

thick with cigar smoke and the cloying scent of Serena's cheap perfume, was suffocat

long the cold stone wall, avoiding the celebr

stairs, a figure stepped out fr

re

ainted lips. "Alessia. I didn't expect to see you down here. Shouldn't you

said, my voice flat. I t

"Leaving so soon? But the party is for

stepson," I said, the

He's tired of a cold wife who can't even give him the time of day." She took a deliberate step closer, her voice dr

them from her lips was a fresh wave of pain. My body swayed

sed, her eyes glittering with trium

uls, felt like it was being stretched to its breaking point. A shar

g corridor, a figure em

nt

ant, her entire demeanor changed. Her triumphant sn

cing shriek. Her hand, the one not holding the champagne, flew to

, her voice filled with manufacture

e commanded. He didn't even look at me. His entire focus was on Serena, his han

nally snapping to me. It was filled with s

, I di

nt," he

ded obedience. It slammed into me, an invisible fist that stole my breath and clamped down on my will. My body froze,

d, his voice shaking with rage as

he Command was absolute. It was a physical force, pushing me, compelling me. My f

in confusion and pain. He was our mate. He was su

tearing from my throat despite the force holdin

erena, his expression softening as he comforted her

It shattered. The pieces tur

ispered one last thing, so quietly I knew h

bye,

soul. But with each step, the dust of my shattered heart began to sol

c