Numbly, slowly, Alina walked towards her mate that had just claimed her, blurred eyes fixated on him, as her knees gave her up entirely. But when she expected to fall face down on the floor, too tired and scared and exhausted to keep her head up anymore, loving arms gathered her limp body on his chest and held her tight, fingers stroking her hair gently, but with a kind of worry that broke her heart further more. He knew. And this was probably the last time he was going to hold her like this. Despite the whole mess she had left behind, this was all Alina could think about. Julian knew. “Alina.” His voice was urgent as he moved the hair from her face and cupped her cheeks with his hands. She could barely keep her eyes open. Tears didn’t let her see his face properly, and she felt the d

