Chapter 33: Building Trust
(Hazel's POV)
I studied Aurora carefully from across the restaurant table. Her fingers lightly gripped the edge of her glass, and every so often, her nails tapped against the surface absentmindedly. She was clearly trying to maintain a calm front, but I could see straight through her.
The tension in her shoulders, the shadows under her usually bright violet eyes, and the way she pushed the lettuce around on her plate instead of eating—it all screamed exhaustion. Breaking a mate bond wasn’t just emotionally taxing; it was physical agony.
“You’ve got to set boundaries with Marcus,” I finally said, breaking the silence. My voice didn’t hold the teasing lightness I usually used to lift her mood. I was serious now. “He seems to know the rules of this game. But
