Nadia's POV
The morning light crawled across the blanket, cold and intrusive.
I reached out, my hand brushing against the expanse of grey silk beside me. It was cold. Smooth. Undisturbed.
Lucian didn't come back to the room last night.
A hollow ache settled in my chest, a dull throb that felt heavier than the usual sting of the mate bond. Even during our most volatile days, even when his temper flared like a wildfire, he had always returned. The bed had always been our neutral ground, a place where the Alpha's territorial instincts usually demanded he keep his mate within arm's reach.
But not last night.
I stared at the empty pillow, feeling a pathetic surge of disappointment. I told myself I didn't care. I told myself that every inch of distance he created was a blessing, a head st
