Kaelen walked with me in silence, his presence steady and unwavering. As we neared Draven’s quarters, I could feel my heart racing in my chest. I had imagined this moment a thousand times—the look in his eyes when he saw me, the way he would pull me into his arms, the way everything would feel right again.
But as I approached the door, I stopped.
Voices. Two of them.
I hesitated, my enhanced hearing picking up the low murmurs from inside the room. One voice was unmistakable—Draven’s deep, familiar tone. But the other…
A chill ran down my spine.
It was Ravenna.
I crouched in the dark corner of the great hall, hidden behind the thick stone pillars. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest I was sure it would give me away, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. Not yet.
Draven stood by the window, his broad shoulders turned away from me. I had longed to see him for two years. Two years I had spent thinking of nothing but our reunion, the future we’d build together as mates. I thought that when I came back, he would be there waiting for me, arms open, the love we once shared still burning strong.
I was a fool.