Chapter 12 Adrian's fury broke the quiet in the study. "No! She is my mate-I will never let a wolf like him have her!" he shouted, voice ragged with panic and anger. He fell to his knees, pleading into the mind-link. "I will beg-do anything, grandfather, please!" A long silence answered him, then a blunt question: "There are rumors you plan to wed Cassandra. Tell me, Adrian-have you already severed Selene?" The words hit him like frost. He had forgotten the pact was signed. The mating with Cassandra was only two days away. On the other end of the link, his grandfather's disappointment was like a cold wind. "Adrian, I am more disappointed than I can say. Damien liked Selene and would have treated her far better than you ever did. If Selene has left you with no chance of reconciliation, the Blackthorn household no longer cares whom you keep by your side. I will never accept Cassandra in this family." When the link ended, Adrian sat before the wardrobe as if struck dumb. The scent of roses clung to the fabric and made his stomach twist. "Selene... Selene, no." He laughed then, a thin, unhinged sound. All these years he had believed Cassandra had saved him. But it had been Selene Rivers who had given herself for him-the mate he had mistreated, struck, and dismissed. He had thought he'd been the one to benefit from the bond; now he saw himself as the fool, the one who had been used by schemers. He scrambled downstairs, reckless, needing the parcel she had left. In the dining hall the box lay half-open. He rifled through the parchments; atop them was a neat letter in Selene's hand: Anything that was once yours is now useless to me. Loving you was the biggest mistake of my life. I hope we never meet again. Beneath the note lay the deeds for the five percent share his grandfather had entrusted to Selene after their bond. The deed for the mountain lodge where they had spent their first anniversary. A sealed pouch of gold-wealth returned for his grandmother's care and everything he had provided. "She gave them back," he whispered, throat tight. "She gave everything back." His hands shook; his eyes filled. The next evening Adrian arranged a candlelit feast and summoned Cassandra. Soft music drifted as he took her hands and, for an instant, a cruel calm settled over him. "Cassandra, you are my one true love. You sacrificed your body for me when I lay dying-you have loved me more than Selene ever did." Cassandra's smile faltered, then steadied. "Adrian, I-" she began, then stammered as his mood shifted. At a curt motion from him the musicians stopped. The room went very still. He hurled the healer's scroll at her, voice thunderous. "Is this true?" he demanded, fingers white around the edges of the parchment. For a breath he hoped she would deny everything. Instead her face paled, and a strange, frightened silence filled the space. Adrian laughed then, a sound edged with madness. Rage boiled over. He seized Cassandra by the throat in a grip that left no room for mercy. "Bitch! I gave my life to you. All these years I thought you were the one who saved me. But it was Selene, wasn't it?" His hold tightened; Cassandra's nails scraped at his arms in a frantic attempt Chapter 11 2/2 7.3% 9:40 pm P to break free. 的 "I loved Selene long before this," he snarled. "I blamed her for feelings I should have never let grow. I poured my anger on her, thinking she was a temptress. Now I see the deceit. Do you think I'll let you live well?" He finally released her with a vicious slap that sent her to the floor, tears cutting tracks down her cheeks. Guards converged and pulled at him, forcing him back as Cassandra scrambled upright. They were about to call the clan's enforcers when Cassandra, eyes wide and wet, looked up at Adrian and began to speak in a voice edged with terror-trying to explain, to save what she could. 9:40 pm P E E Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!