CURRENT DAY
I stormed out of the mansion, my mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions. Anger coursed through my veins, hot and potent, threatening to overwhelm my composure. The cool night air did little to soothe the fire burning within me as I stalked across the grounds, my fists clenched at my sides.
Akari's words echoed in my mind, a relentless torment. Flynn, her mate? The very thought made my blood boil, a primal growl rumbling in my chest. I needed a drink, something strong to dull the sharp edges of my thoughts.
Vodka, perhaps. Anything to numb this ache that threatened to consume me. And I would need lots of it. Two bottles, maybe three.
As I walked, my anger slowly gave way to a more troubling emotion, doubt.
Had I pushed her away too far, too often? The memory of her fa
