Kael’s POV
“Kael! Kael!”
Gracie’s voice echoed through the hallway like a fire alarm. Shrill. Persistent. Impossible to ignore, but I kept walking, ignoring the pain in my side and the stiffness in my legs. My body wasn’t ready for this, but I didn’t care. I needed air. Space. Silence.
“I’m your mate! You can’t leave me here!” she cried, footsteps slapping against the polished floor as she ran after me.
Still, I didn’t stop.
“Our wedding is near!” she shouted, desperation thick in her voice. And then, I felt her hand wrap around my arm, her grip trembling as she clung to me like a lifeline.
I stopped walking.
Slowly, I turned to look at her. Her face was flushed, her eyes wide and pleading. But all I saw wasn’t love. It wasn’t even concern. It was panic. Possession.
She was more af
