Dargan's POV
“I know,” I replied, as there was no need to deny it. Hell, I would have told her in the words just now, if Gaia’s heat hadn’t come on all of a sudden. I wasn’t going to keep my Fated Mate a secret. Ashley was MINE and I loved that someone as strong and feisty was my mate. But---
“But I’m your alpha too,” I reminded her, and while that wasn’t the reason why I wanted to take care of her, it was the one easiest to explain. “And I made you a promise---”
“No!” She adamantly shook her head, a weak sob escaping her lips as even that slight movement hurt her. Tears rolled down her cheek and her beautiful dark gaze met mine. “I won’t be the reason that your bond is damaged. I--- I can’t do that to her.”
My heart just shattered at that!
She’d rather suffer the unbearable pain of h
