I hadn't seen Alaya in days, and Luca kept me isolated from the rest of the pack. Finally, I left the bedroom, escorted to a dining hall that echoed with each step I took. There, the table was set with just two place settings—one at the head and another directly to the right.
"Strega!" Luca exclaimed as he grabbed my hands. Scowling, I sat down beside him at the table. I planned to keep silent, yet he always found a way to provoke me like no other. Shifting in my seat, I felt a persistent burning pressure that grew more uncomfortable the longer I sat.
"You've been awfully good today; are you sore?" he joked. I shot him a look before glancing back down at the table. My thoughts wandered to Axel—I missed him terribly, especially now, sharing a bed with another man after having known Axel'
