She pretended like she did not hear me, but I wasn't taking her silence for an answer. I raised one brow in surprise at her defiance. The moment I held her in my arms, she lowered her gaze, avoiding mine as if the truth itself burned her tongue.
"Arabella, don't make me repeat myself. Who is Alpha Victor to you?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though anger threatened to break through at any second.
"He… is my ex-mate," she responded.
My eyes dimmed at the sudden revelation. I had always known there was a story behind Arabella when I first met her, something broken and hidden beneath her strength, but I never imagined it would be connected to Alpha Victor.
A small frustration bubbled within me, sharp and restless, but when I looked at her properly, I saw it, her exhaustion, the tears threatening to fall, the quiet pain she was trying so hard to suppress. Without another word, I guided her gently to the bed and laid her down.
