Bailey’s POV
I shook my head slowly.
“If this were just romantic, it wouldn’t bother me this much.”
I pointed to my chest. “Alpha, this is different. We’re fated mates, and we can’t do anything about that.”
He stared at me blankly, though a slight flinch betrayed him.
He knew it too.
I stepped closer until I could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
“You’re not afraid of losing your freedom,” I said quietly. “You’re afraid of needing someone.”
His breath faltered.
“And I don’t need anyone,” he replied, but the conviction in his voice had weakened.
The bond pulsed between us, soft, insistent.
Before I could stop myself, I reached out and pressed my hand lightly against his chest.
His heart was racing.
Mine answered instantly.
“You can call it an error,” I whispered. “You
