Page 60 of Luna's Forgotten Vow

"But I spoke to you at Callahan's party. Twice. And I didn't know if I could live with myself if I did that to you. You may not believe a word I say but saving you had nothing to do with leverage. It was instinctual, so utterly out of character that I had to find a reason to tell Eric why I was saving a woman we both thought to be Ronan's lover.

"I found out why at the hospital. When you looked at me and the bond snapped into place, it stopped being just about leverage. I didn't think I had it in me to ever let you leave. So I lied, added the clause at the bottom of the contract. Because I wanted more time. Because I was fucking scared you would leave me either way. That you would never choose me because you loved him.

"And it is no excuse, but I'm sorry. For lying. For the things I have said and done to keep you by my side. But I do not regret any of it. Selfish as it might be, you and Landon are the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"I hear a sharp inhale from inside, shuffling of feet, and then, nothing. I smile a little, again. I knew it wouldn't be that easy.

"I must have fallen asleep by the threshold of her door, because when my heavy eyelids part, it is to find Sera throwing a blanket over my shoulder, her dark brows pulled together in worry.

When she notices my gaze on her, she stiffens, starting to rise, but I catch her wrist before she can leave. "I'm sorry." I've never sounded so little in my entire life.

Her lips purse and for a moment, she seems to contemplate my words. But then, she says, "I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. To visit Baldwin. I'm bringing Landon with me."

Pain ricochets in my chest but I push back at it. "How long will you be gone for?"

Her jaw tightens. "A month."

She might as well kill me, but I don't tell her that. I could keep an eye on her, follow her around subtly without her ever finding out that I am stalking her--

"I only ask that you respect my decision and stay away from me. I need time alone and space to process things," she says coldly, like she can sift through the thoughts in my head.

Even if it feels like wrenching my heart out, I nod. "I understand."

CHAPTER 20

SERAPHINA

My molars grind. "I'm not a child. I don't need so many guards or even Eric following me around for that matter."

Soren grins, sharp canines flashing in the sunlight. He is back to being his most amazing, disgustingly perfect self, without an inch of remorse about him. He hardly looks like the man who had lain drunk by my door andwhimperedwhen I tried to leave him there. "You are my Luna. Your safety is top priority. Since you won't let me come along, I'll have Eric and Ruslan accompany you until you are well into the West."

I glare at both SUVs. "You don't think ten guards is overdoing it?"

He shakes his head, his smarmy grin widening. "Never with you, Sera." He leans in to kiss my cheek and I pull back at the last second, causing him to tip over and nearly fall into the snow.

His men laugh as they arrange the rest of my luggage into the car. Soren scowls, muttering something under his breath and despite myself, my lips twitch.

"All done," Eric says, shutting the rear.

"You're sure I can't come along?" Lilia complains, her fingers rubbing along my arm. "I've always wanted to visit Alpha Baldwin's glass castle. You think if I throw a stone at it, it'll all collapse?"

I snort. "Not sure it works that way, Lily." I brush off the snow from Landon's blonde hair. He stirs in his sleep, lips parting.

Eric lifts Lilia off the ground in a firm hug, even if he will only be gone for a day. And I try not to barf when he kisses her long, slow and hard. It takes a whole damn minute. Maybe even five, watching them eat each other's faces, and I struggle not to meet Soren's gaze. It's so hot, I can practically feel my pants on fire.

Unfortunately, being mad doesn't mean you stop being needy and 'ready to fuck' when your mate is around. If I am feeling generous enough to admit, I have thought about sex more times in the last twenty-four hours than I have in my entire life.

My body is tense with urges I sadly can't even give in to. Usually, after the first mating and marking, mates tend to spend the next few weeks with each other, never apart, joined at the hip. Literally.

That Soren is letting me go on this trip is a testament to his patience and restraint. And mine. Because seeing him this morning at breakfast, licking the butter off the spoon had been enough to make my pussy sing.

Soren's lips curve and his whisper flits into my mind. "Keep thinking things like that and you'll spend the next month in my bedroom. Not that you would object to it."

My cheeks flush and I look away swiftly, cursing my lack of shame under my breath because no. I really wouldn't object to it.

And this is why I decided to make the trip. To understand if I am feeling this way because we are mates or if I truly have feelings for Soren.

Soren growls at Eric and Lilia and they pull apart awkwardly. Eric's shirt is rumpled and Lilia's left breast is almost sticking out of her top.

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