“You don’t know how to love me,” I said softly. “Your heart was always with Ava, even after she died. I tried so hard to be enough for you. I tried to be your perfect wife. But you still cheated on me. With Maya.” “No, that’s not...” He couldn’t finish. “It is.” I grabbed the suitcase and walked past him. “I’ve been waiting for you to love me for so long. I’m done. I deserve better.” “Aria...” He reached for me. “Don’t.” I stepped around him. “It’s over.” --- Cade doesn’t flinch. He presses the blade to his palm. Blood wells up and drips down his wrist. “Blood calls to blood,” he says. His voice feels like it comes from inside me. “Eshtara vei fen'anir.” He takes my hand. Our blood mixes. Something erupts. Not pain. Power. The black veins twist, then retreat as golden light floods my body. The poison pulls back. Cade’s voice anchors me, steady and sure. “I claim Nora as my mate. Before the moon. Before the pack. Before my soul.”