---- heard a familiar voice behind me: "Sera." I stopped, but didn't turn around. "Please, don't go," he said softly. "Give me five minutes. That's all." I slowly turned, looking straight into the face I had once loved so deeply. ''Five minutes. Then you have to leave the Sanctuary." "I know the truth about Lyra," he got straight to the point. ''She deceived everyone, including me. Her cub wasn't mine at all, but the offspring of the Northern Pack's Alpha. Her goal was to infiltrate and weaken the Night-fang pack, paving the way for the Northern Pack's invasion." I scoffed. "You're only figuring that out now? Too late, Alpha." "T know." He hung his head. "No excuse can make up for how I hurt you. But I have to tell you, you ---- and the child might still be in danger. Lyra escaped, and she knows you're carrying the true Night-fang heir." That news made my heart clench. "She... escaped?" "After I exposed her scheme, she fled north. Marcus tracked her and found she has close ties to the Northern Pack. They might already know where you are." "So you came here to warn me?" "Yes, and no." He looked up, his eyes flashing with complicated emotions. "I came here to protect you, even if you don't want me, even if you hate me. I can't let you be in danger again." "The Sanctuary is neutral," I said calmly. '"No one can attack here." "Lyra isn't playing by any rules anymore," he said gravely. ''She's dabbled in some kind of dark power. Marcus found forbidden ingredients mixed ---- with the wolfsbane she was using." I was silent for a moment, taking it all in. "Even so, you shouldn't have snuck in under a false name. It's not fair to the others." "Thad no choice," he said with a bitter smile. "If I'd shown up as Kaelen Nightfang, would you have given me a chance to speak?" I didn't answer, because the answer was obvious. "your five minutes are up," I finally said. "If you truly care about my safety and the child's, then leave. Your presence will only draw more attention." Before turning to leave, I added, "And if you truly realize you were wrong, then you should respect my choice. I am no longer your mate, no longer your responsibility." Back in my cottage, I leaned against the door and slowly slid to the floor. Though I put on a brave ---- face, I was trembling inside. Not just because of the possible threat from Lyra, but because Kaelen's appearance had stirred up emotions I thought I'd buried. Iclosed my eyes, but I could still see the pain and longing in his. That wasn't an act. It was real regret. But forgiveness and trust were two different things. The first might be possible; the second was already shattered. Outside, moonlight streamed into the courtyard, illuminating a figure hidden in the shadows of the trees. He was still there, watching, waiting. And I knew, no matter how firmly I told him to leave, Kaelen Nightfang had decided to stay. Asa guardian, as an atoner, as...a man who no longer dared to ask for anything in return.