He stepped closer, leaning in until his breath brushed my ear. His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, carrying the threat of a predator.
“As for the wedding, I can give you the grand ceremony you’ve always wanted. But the mate bond? That’s reserved for the one who’s truly mine.”
I stared at him in shock.
Could it be…
Before I could press him further, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance to the festival.
It was my cousin, Willow Hawkins.
She was dressed in a pale blue gown, her eyes rimmed with red as tears threatened to spill. The moment she saw Ryan and me standing together, her tears broke free, sliding down her cheeks.
“Alice, Ryan…” she whispered, her voice trembling and barely audible. “I heard… you’re getting married soon. I don’t have any money to buy Alice the expensive gifts she deserves, so… I just want to wish you both happiness…”
Before she could finish, she turned and ran toward the river, tears streaming down her face.
“Look at what you’ve done!” Ryan snapped, spinning to glare at me. His golden eyes blazed with fury.
Without another word, he turned and chased after her, leaving me standing there alone.
