"I have to go," Casper gasps, covering his mouth the moment he hears Serene's name. I reach for him, wrapping my hand around his wrist. "If you walk away from this ceremony, I won't let you humiliate me again." Casper brushes a stray strand of hair from my face. The familiar tingles from the mate bond spread across my skin, but instead of comfort, they feel like mockery. "You're being dramatic, Lily." "I mean it, Casper." "I'll be right back. Wait for me here, and we can finish… this." This. The word stings like a blade against my skin. Is this all that remains of our bond? Something inside me breaks into a thousand pieces, and I know it can't be put back together. *** This is the THIRD time Casper has walked away for Serene. Lilith swears she will never let anyone humiliate her again. Not her mate, not her Pack. She cuts her ties with the Pack to claim her own freedom. She never expects to meet Kael, the heir to the Alpha King, a man who is willing to erase anyone who dares to stand in her way. *** "I can make him disappear. Hell, I can get rid of anyone who bothers you. Just say the word." I swallow hard at the seriousness in his gaze. "No. That won't be necessary." Kael rises and presses a kiss to my forehead. "Just say the word."