The Heiress' Return For Vengeance
"
Kieran recalled those words until they were burned into his soul.
His mother isn't weak. She is trapped.
The mate bond, that thing everyone speaks of with reverence and longing, is the weapon Augustus uses to keep her compliant. Every time she tries to resist, every time she gathers the strength to leave, the bond drags her back, makes her physically ill, weakens her until she has no choice but to submit.
Augustus knows and exploits it ruthlessly.
He uses the knowledge of what Celeste is as a constant threat. If she doesn't obey, if she doesn't allow him access to her wealth and power, he will expose her. See her hunted, killed, experimented on by those who fear what they don't understand.