CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

PATRICK

I stare at her. Rylie. But it is not her. She has changed. Her scent. Her aura. Everything is wrong.

She keeps telling me she loves me and I want to believe her. I so want to believe her. But this is not my mate. Not my Rylie.

A sorceress in disguise, maybe. Sent by her pack to fool me.

It would be so easy to give in.

And though it pains him terribly to do so, I must be strong for the sake of my rogues.

"Take her to a cell," I say.

"No!" she screams. "Patrick, please! Don't do this!"

There is a look of utter terror on her face.

I cannot let my feelings cloud my judgment.

I cannot let her hurt those I care about.

I must be strong.

For them, I must be strong.

I watch my rogues walk Rylie away. They drag her by her arms.

She is still fighting with them.

She is still calling for me.

She is begging for me to believe her.

But I've seen what I've seen.

She is no longer my mate.

She is not my Rylie.

I look away.

My stomach turns.

I feel nauseated.

I can hear