Owen
How could I have gotten things so entirely wrong?
I think back to the day Ava and I met. The intoxicating way she smelled. The pull I felt toward her like fate’s hand was guiding me.
Never in my life had I felt that way before. I haven’t felt that way since about anyone else.
Why would I have experienced that with Ava if she’s not my mate?
“Owen?” Ava asks, still leaning against my door. Hope dances in her eyes. We haven’t kissed like that in a while now.
I shake my head, taking another step back. “I can’t.”
Concern drowns out the hope in Ava’s eyes. “Can’t what?”
I drop right there, down onto the floor. I’m still in my clothes from the evacuation, still unwashed and sleep deprived. This is too much.
“Darling,” Ava coos, approaching to kneel in front of me. “You’re exhau
