ya's

oor o

r, back pressed against the cold wood. Her heart lur

steps

on her. His expression does not change. No

," Jasp

. The silk gown clings to her, wrinkled and hea

behind him. The lock

himself a drink from the decanter. Amber liquid splashes in

s frozen, w

r walk?" Jasper as

tches. He knows.

voice falters.

nk. He turns to face her, leaning back agai

spying," J

ust... I

you hear

ns. She cannot speak.

s the room in three long strides. He stops in front of her, clo

me," Jas

Araya whisper

ot change. No shame. No gu

Jaspe

r sides. "And you're my mate. My hu

itch, almost a s

es

hy

a slap. Araya stares at

t said words under the moon? Because your father needed to m

flin

away. "This bond is a form

it?" Araya's voice crack

lks to the bed, sitting on th

You could have refused. You're the

y eyes cold and flat. "Your father

t deeper tha

he blinks hard, refusin

ssing it onto the chair. He unbuttons his

re," Jas

does n

narrow. "I sai

em. She crosses the room slowly, every step f

s in fro

r neck. His fingers are cold, firm, possessive. He pulls

e silk loose. The gown slides from

efore him, exp

l and detached. He does not speak. Doe

her back o

gasps. Her hands grip the furs beneat

down, suffocating. His hands are rough, eff

nderness. No w

y d

ep from crying out. Pain flares, sharp and immediat

not stop. Do

n ragged pulls. She feels used. Hollow. Lik

beneath the humiliat

sp

re, flickering li

bo

tretching between them. A thread of

s breath hitches, just for

does no

way. He stands, dressing quickl

he ceiling. Her body aches. He

oning it with swift, precise mo

head, watching

per says, hi

tightens. "Pl

id, d

coat and stride

the furs around her.

He opens the door and

er, w

closes be

around her shoulders. She crosses to the door

k, lit only by the

teps echo, dis

on the cold stone. His scent lingers in the

ickly, her h

a corner, disappear

e corner, follo