Right before our CH 11

—- At dinner, the nutrient broth arrived. Damien had ordered it specially for Seraphina. I recognized the scent immediately: Heart-leaf, an herb whose properties only activate for a she-wolf bonded to the Alpha who serves it. He served a bowl and handed it to me. “You should have some too. It’s good for you.” I took the bowl and sipped. A foreign, repulsive energy instantly warred with my own. My body recoiled, the rejection a physical, agonizing proof of his betrayal. Damien froze.

He had forgotten. That herb no longer worked for me. My phone rang. Ignoring Damien, I stepped out onto the balcony, sliding the glass door shut behind me before answering in a hushed voice. —- “Miss Isla? This is the secretary from the Laurel Guild. Your flight has been confirmed.” “Good,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “The ceremony is off. I’m ready to leave.” Just as I hung up, a deep, commanding voice came from behind me. “Who’s leaving?”