Just then, he slapped me.
A sharp crack split the quiet clearing; my head snapped sideways, heat blooming across my cheek.
“Nyx! Why are you so stubborn? Nyx, I didn’t raise you to be like this!”
The words—each one tipped with poison—landed harder than the blow itself. I cradled my stinging skin, bowing my head so he wouldn’t see the tears spilling fast and hot.
“I’m sorry, Dad. It’s all a mistake.”
The apology rasped out, but even to me it sounded small—too small to fill the gulf yawning between us.
“A mistake?” he thundered, voice echoing among the stone walls and empty corridor. “A mistake that will keep following you? Glory told me everything—everything that happened while I was away!”
My heart thudded like a trapped bird.
“I told you never to accept an Alpha as your mate, but
