My lips curl into a smirk.
“Oh?” I taunt. "Did you think you were Special just because we are mate? That you could use the mate bond to make me accept you?" I tilt my head, eyes flashing with challenge. "I rejected one mate before you, and I’ll reject you just as easily."
"So that’s what’s giving you confidence," he snarls, his fingers twitching like he’s seconds away from grabbing me. "You think I’m just like your pathetic excuse of a first mate?"
His ego is wounded, his rage palpable.
I hold his gaze, refusing to back down.
Then, without warning, he steps back. The sudden loss of his warmth leaves me breathless.
"I didn’t want to go this far," he murmurs, his voice both a promise and a curse. "But you’re giving me no choice."
His next words are a vow.
"You’ll eat those words. I’l
