RYAN POV
I just made the hardest decision of my life.
I promised myself I would never do this, that I would never bow, never compromise, and never let anyone leash me.
Yet here I was, agreeing to become Voss's puppet. For her, for my mate.
Worse, I did it knowing she would never understand.
I hadn't turned around since Voss walked out and closed the door. I couldn't face her yet. Because the second I looked at Crystal, I would break. I couldn't let that happen.
Her silent sniffles filled the room anyway. She let out a silent stifling so it wouldn't come out. Each one carved another piece out of my chest.
My wolf was losing its mind, pacing, snarling, ripping at the inside of my ribs like it wanted to tear free and claim her right here on this floor. The bond pulls at
