I dragged a hand down my face, the sting of her suspicion cutting deeper than I wanted to admit.
“Goddess, Lara… that you would even think that of me…” I shook my head, chest tight. “I didn’t take them. I swear it. I would never do something that vile — to any children, let alone ones connected to you. You know me”
“As if I have ever truly known you!” she shot back, the words slicing through the clearing like a whip.
Silence crashed down between us. The wind rustled the leaves overhead, but neither of us moved. The fractured mate bond thrummed painfully, carrying echoes of her terror and my own hurt.
Then something in her seemed to shatter. “I’m… I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
She ruffled her hair in frustration, fingers tangling in the wild strands. Tears spilled down
