For the first time since he had found his mate, he felt something other than the constant ache of betrayal and longing. It was as though chains wrapped around his chest had finally snapped.
The pressure that had been crushing his heart eased. The torment did not vanish completely, but something inside him opened.
Freedom.That was the only word for it.
Whether the pain was truly gone or whether he had simply become too accustomed to pain that he does not feel anymore. Enzo could not tell. But for the first time in what felt like forever, he felt unbound.
Elara, however, felt the exact opposite.
The rejection slammed into her like a blade through the chest.
A sharp, sizzling pain exploded from her heart and spread through her body so violently her knees almost gave out. Her Lycan recoiled from it, writhing inside her, but the pain did not stop.
And still it was not over. Because now it was her turn.
At the last second, she hesitated.
Only for a heartbeat.
