Daphne's POV
"Us?" His fingers wrapped around my wrist, holding me in place. "There is no us. You made that crystal clear."
"I was being practical." I let my eyes fill with moisture, letting the tears build until they threatened to spill. They weren't genuine, but Cyrus wouldn't detect the difference. "I was trying to shield myself from what's coming. From the day my father arranges my marriage to some Alpha I've never laid eyes on and everything ends."
"But Lyra..." he began.
"Lyra is different." I interrupted him sharply. "We created that situation. We planned it together. And Kaelen has choices. Men always do. I don't get that luxury."
The tears escaped, rolling down my cheeks. I allowed them to fall freely.
"I couldn't bear the pain," I whispered. "Of growing closer to you. Of allowing myself to truly fall for you. Only to lose it all in the end anyway."
Cyrus's hold on my wrist grew slack.
