to blur, but th

res the way it had in the beginning. Instead it had settled into something heavier and more exhausting - a deep, persistent ache that live

hel

gh, but

d down and my replies short. The regulars had started to recognize me, offering small nods that I returned

ould stop it - Kael coming in from the cold during a winter storm, snow still melting in his hair, his expression closed and tired. I had handed

e another moment I h

A wave of restlessness and frustration that wasn't fully mine bled through the connection. My wolf snar

. I was grateful. If she had asked

raped raw. The walk back to the motel had become another quiet battle. Every step seemed to tighten the bond, as if it

stood in the middle of t

s starting to

after day. No message. No explanation. No sign that he even cared that I was gone. The cruelty of it was almost impre

f the bed and put m

t her mate was on the other side of the bond and we were forcing ourselves to stay away. The instinct clawed at m

low and rough. "He threw us a

it came from both sides. For a moment I could feel him clearly enough that it made m

not a

ut deeper than

night of staring at it while the bond throbbed like an open wound. Another night of refusing to reach for my phone. Another n

t and spoke into the dark, e

not ca

not com

not b

in response, almost like

yes and held

g strong enough to k

ould return

ilding the small life he

ould keep ch

nd kept punish

ved him enough to feel ever

ot goin