Jessica Lewis
The warmth between us evaporated like mist under the weight of those words.
Tristan’s entire body shifted, muscles tensing beneath his shirt, the easy warmth in his eyes hardening into something sharp and lethal. His hand slipped from my face, leaving my skin cold in its absence.
“A rogue?” Tristan asked, his voice calm — too calm.
The guard nodded. “We caught him near the southern perimeter. He’s demanding to see you.”
Tristan’s frown deepened. “ A common rogue demanding to see me?”
The guard hesitated. “He… he mentioned your mate.”
I felt the air shift around me. My fingers curled into my palms, and my breath hitched, but I stayed quiet. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure they could both hear it.
Tristan’s stance turned protective, a barely perceptible shift tha
