JESSICA

I was steps away from him when I stopped.

His words—it was the adrenaline—felt like he’d reached into my chest and squeezed my heart until it stopped. I turned back, my vision blurred with hot, angry tears.

"Adrenaline?" I whispered, my voice trembling. I stepped back into his space, forcing him to look at me. "Is that what you call it? When your wolf recognized mine? When you couldn’t even breathe because my scent was the only thing you wanted?"

"Jessica, stop. Go back to the house." He finally said.

"No. Look at me and say it again," I demanded. I reached out and grabbed his forearm. His skin was like fire, and the second we touched, that electric spark traveled up my arm, making my breath hitch. "Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t feel the bond pulling at your soul every time I walk into a room."

Kaelen snapped.

His hand shot out, his fingers wrapping around my upper arm. He didn't hurt me, but his grip was strong. He yanked me forward until our chests were inches apart, his dark eyes finally burning into mine with a raw, agonizing hunger.

"Of course I feel it!" he growled, his voice a low, vibrating rumble that made my knees weak. "I feel it every second. It’s like a hook in my ribs, Jessica. Every time Nathan touches you, I want to rip his throat out. Every time you smile at him, I want to burn this whole pack to the ground."

He was shaking. The mean statue was gone, replaced by a man who looked like he was being torn apart from the inside.

"But I’m a soldier with nothing," he hissed, his face lowering until his forehead pressed against mine. "And he is the Alpha. If I take you, they will hunt us. They will kill me, and they will call you a traitor. Is that what you want? To spend your life running in the mud because of a mistake the moon made?"

"It wasn't a mistake," I sobbed, my hands clutching his shirt. "I’d rather run in the mud with you than sit on a throne with him."

For a split second, I thought he was going to kiss me. His gaze dropped to my lips, and his breath hitched. The air between us was filled with need, I could almost feel it.

"Jessica?" Nathan's voice sounded.

Kaelen let go of me so fast I stumbled back. We both spun around, our hearts racing, to see Nathan standing at the entrance of the hedge maze.

He wasn't smiling anymore. His blue eyes moved from my flushed face and tear-stained cheeks to Kaelen’s hands, which were still balled into white-knuckled fists. The silence in the garden became suffocating.

"Nathan," I gasped, trying to wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. "I... I was just—"

"You said you wanted to be alone, Jess," Nathan said, his voice dangerously smooth. He walked toward us, his eyes locked on Kaelen. "Yet I find you here, cornered by the help. And he seemed to be holding you quite firmly."

Kaelen went back to his mean self, but I could see the pulse jumping in his neck. He lowered his head, his posture shifting into that of a submissive guard, but the tension in his shoulders screamed of a predator ready to pounce.

"I apologize, Alpha," Kaelen said. "The Lady was... upset. She tripped near the fountain. I was merely steadying her."

Nathan stopped a foot away from Kaelen. He was shorter than Kaelen. He reached out and brushed a piece of something I didn't see off Kaelen’s shoulder, a gesture that was meant to be belittling.

"Steadying her," Nathan repeated. He turned to me, his expression softening into that fake, patronizing mask I hated. "Is that true, Jess? Are you so clumsy today? Or was he overstepping his bounds?"

I looked at Kaelen. His eyes were fixed on the dirt, pleading with me silently to stay quiet. If I told the truth, Kaelen would be executed before the sun set.

"I tripped," I lied. "I’m just... tired, Nathan. The wedding stress."

Nathan looked at me for a long time, his eyes searching mine. I could see the doubt there. He wasn't stupid.

He stepped closer to me and wrapped a possessive arm around my waist, pulling me hard against his side. "Then let’s get you inside. You shouldn't be out here with... this." He gestured vaguely at Kaelen as if he were a piece of trash on the sidewalk.

"Kaelen," Nathan said, his voice dropping an octave. "Since you’re so concerned with her tripping, you can spend the night guarding the outer gate. In the rain. I don't want you near her quarters until the ceremony tomorrow."

My heart sank. He was separating us.

Kaelen bowed low. "Yes, Alpha."

Nathan led me away, his grip on my waist was uncomfortably tight. I looked back over my shoulder one last time. Kaelen was still standing there, and he looked utterly alone.

As Nathan led me toward the house, he leaned in and whispered in my ear. "I don't know what game you're playing, Jessica. But you belong to me. Remember that. If that mutt touches you again, I won't just punish him. I'll make you watch while I end him.”