's

the office. My heart wasn't in my chest anymore-it was back to the

a

over in my mind like a wh

felt it too.

to Zane Blackwood's office, I didn't question it. I barely

out us. I even smiled a little as I

of steel and shadows. Everything was dark-black floors, charcoal walls, gray curtai

I said

n around. "Cl

est. Something about the way h

s eyes didn't hold the fire they

t i

aid, voice calm but razor-sharp. "Whateve

ked. "

d. "There is no us, Nyx. Whatever bond you think yo

ected. "But... we felt the mate

something-" his eyes flicked to me like I was a stain

caught in

otional. You don't belong in my world. And I refuse to

pened my mouth to spea

walls were pressing in. My cheeks b

hispered, voice cracking. "I

o yourself a favor, Nyx-walk away. Pretend it never

Like I didn't even matter. Like I wa

ay. I walked. For hours. Through streets filled with cars,

n my head. You don't belon

than that. But when I finally made it to my apar

t was in my bones, in my blood. Li

ike a string had been snapped inside me. I didn't eat. Didn't show

unknown number. I almost didn't ch

is back. You've made enemies

have a name. No n

ted u

ri

rother. My

e lived alone. No pack. No protection.

him rig

ird ring, his voice g

okay? Did anything weird ha

ause. "No? Wh

st... be careful. Please. Stay

what's

said, forcing my voice

. "Okay.

at my phone for a lon

Zane. Or at least, with being involved with someon

was bleedin

e. But the threat was real. And i

dn't r

**

befor

e. No

money I had from my account, and cau

't loo

tries, from the tower, from him, the m

ond didn'

tant. A dull ache beneath my ribs

jecte

ldn't stop thin