40

Nia turned her gaze to Layke, still keeping the enforcer pinned beneath her, and Belle hoped her worst fear hadn’t come true. But when she saw the longing in his sharp green eyes as he gazed at Sierra, her heart stopped. No, this couldn’t be happening. She knew there was a chance he would find his mate, but her? Her? The gods surely had to be laughing at her right now, utterly amused by the chances.

But it wasn’t his birthday until tomorrow. He shouldn’t be able to recognise his mate yet? How was this possible? Question after question spiralled in Belle’s mind as Layke was unable to move his gaze from Sierra, failing to notice the hurt Belle was feeling. Her heart was shattered, a dull ache filling her with nothing but emptiness. She couldn’t be here. She couldn’t see this.

“Layke,” Sierra cried.

Layke felt like he was going crazy. There was no way this traitor could be his mate. His breathing laboured and uneven, his fists were clenched. No, this couldn’t be happening. It had to b