Chapter 4

The mate bond did not break quietly.

Pain tore through my chest and raced along every nerve. My wolf howled once, then curled around the two fragile heartbeats inside me.

Across the yard, Darius dropped to one knee.

His hand struck the stone platform. The Alpha power that had filled the air only moments ago vanished with a sound like a breath being cut off.

I pressed both hands over my stomach. My wolf reached inward and found two faint pulses, steady and warm.

Helena climbed onto the platform and caught my elbow. "Can you stand?"

"Yes."

Darius lifted his…