Dolton POV
The sharp knock on the door yanks me out of a restless sleep, my heart hammering in my chest. I groan, dragging myself upright, each movement weighed down by the ache that’s been my constant companion since she was taken. The pain isn’t just physical—it’s the raw, unrelenting agony of being severed from her, my mate. I thought holding onto the bond without rejection was the right thing to do, a way to keep her connected to me. But now I wonder if she’s enduring this same torment.
How is she coping? Does she even know I’m still searching?
“What?” I bark toward the door, my voice hoarse, and it creaks open to reveal Asline standing there, her expression a mixture of hesitation and resolve.
“Alpha Dolton,” she says, dipping her head slightly in deference. “There’s still no conf
