Chapter 3

I spent an entire week packing.

The walk-in closet was full of clothes Victor had bought me over the years, and half of them still had the tags on.

The night before the signing, I sat by the massive floor-to-ceiling window, hugging my knees, staring up at the starlight dome Victor had built for me.

Somewhere between waking and dreaming, I felt myself sink into a scorching embrace.

"Baby, wearing this little?" Victor's voice curled against my ear, low and rough with laughter.

I looked down and found myself wearing nothing but one of his white dress shirts.

His hand was broad and burning hot, sliding from my waist down to my thigh.

"Didn't we agree on resting tonight?" I protested weakly, even as my body melted against him.

"Mmhm. Resting." He laughed softly, nuzzling into the curve of my neck. "Just holding you while we rest."

But his fingers were already slipping under the hem of the shirt.

Serpents ran colder than humans, but his fingertips felt like fire, drawing shivers everywhere they touched.

"Victor," I curled into myself.

"Shh, don't be scared." He kissed my shoulder, his words slurring against my skin. "I'll be gentle tonight."

Liar.

He didn't know the meaning of the word.

Especially when those two cocks slid inside me at the same time, I felt completely filled up

I was stretched to the absolute limit and I nearly melted right there in his arms.

He held me in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and made me watch the sky he'd built for me.

My body rocked with his, and the stars in my vision swayed and blurred.

"Like it?" He caught my earlobe between his teeth, breathing hot.

I moaned and nodded.

His laugh was low, but he moved harder.

"Good."

"My star should always stay right beside me."

*****

The alarm shrieked, and I jolted awake.

Pale morning light seeped through the window. The room was empty.

I lay there for a few minutes, stunned, then slowly sat up.

What in the world was I dreaming about?

I took a deep breath and shoved the word "forever" out of my head. We were about to be done. No business dreaming about him like that.

While brushing my teeth, I stared at the dark circles under my eyes in the mirror and sighed. Today was a big day.

I changed into a white button-down and jeans—the same outfit I'd been wearing the day we first met. Full circle.

When I arrived at the Center, Louis was already waiting outside. He looked rough, with two massive dark circles under his eyes.

"Cassandra," he started to say something, then stopped himself.

"Don't." I cut him off. "It's happening today."

Louis sighed and led me inside without another word.

Victor was already there.

He heard our footsteps and turned. His eyes landed on me, and he went completely rigid.

"You," his voice came out shredded, "who told you to leave the house dressed like that?"

"What?" I looked down at myself. "What's wrong with it?"

He said nothing. His gaze traced from the collar of my shirt all the way down to where the jeans hugged my legs, and stayed there for a long time.

"Nothing." He finally tore his eyes away, his voice tight. "Let's go in."

He turned first and walked toward the Mark Removal room. I followed.

At the door, the doctor gestured for me to lie on the exam bed. The moment I lay down, something cold pressed against the back of my neck.

"Removing a mate mark is quite painful," the doctor said gently, "especially for humans. You'll need to rest for a while afterward."

I nodded.

"Go ahead."

I closed my eyes and braced for the pain.

"Wait."

Victor's voice. My eyes flew open. He was standing right beside the bed.

"What is it?" the doctor asked.

"I just remembered," he said, "I have an important meeting today."

"What meeting?" Louis frowned. "I don't know about any meeting."

"It was last-minute." Victor grabbed Louis's arm. "I'm sorry, Ms. Cassandra. We'll have to reschedule."

And just like that, he left.

I lay on the exam bed, staring blankly at the empty doorway.

"Well," the doctor looked at me, "we can't proceed with only one party present."

I sat up and touched the back of my neck.

What was Victor playing at? He'd insisted on the divorce, then ran when the moment came. Serpents were impossible to read.