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“What?” I prompt him.

“It intensifies everything. The pull between you two will be stronger than ever.” His expression turns grave. “And if you reject the bond, it will hurt him. Deeply.”

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the warmth inside the palace. “I need time.”

“I understand,” Erik says. “Just...think about what I said.”

As I walk away, my mind races with questions, with hurt, with confusion. Fated mates. A bond I never asked for, never knew existed. A choice made for me by forces I don’t understand.

No wonder I’ve felt so drawn to him. No wonder my body hums with awareness whenever he’s near. It’s not just attraction; it’s magic. Destiny.

I’ve never believed in destiny. I believe in choice, in forging your own path.

But as I step outside into the bright morning light, the memory of Griffin’s lips on mine, of his body moving with mine, sends a shiver of longing through me so intense that it takes my breath away.

Fated mates.

But I’m a human! There will be complications and—

A thought strikes me. The night we just spent in the same bed together—did he manipulate me using the bond, or was I so easily convinced because of the bond?

A strange tension forms within, an anger that has no outlet.

I don’t like being controlled, bond or no bond.

I’m notone to run from my problems. I’ve always faced them head on. Which is why, after I go back to the cottage to shower and change, I find myself looking for Griffin. He’s got some explaining to do, and I plan to get my answers.

As I walk through the palace grounds, one of the gardeners is clipping some shrubs, a rake lying next to him. I come to a stop, seizing the rake. “Can I borrow this?”

He stares at me. “Ah, sure?”

“Thanks.”

I march toward the palace, heading straight to Griffin’s office. He’s in there, poring over some documents.

“You.”

His head lifts, and his lips curve into that beaming smile of his that always makes my breath stutter. “Maya!” His smile fades into a quizzical look. “Why are you carrying a garden rake?”

I point it at him. “It’s my weapon.”

“Why do you need a weapon?”

I’ve seen Griffin interact with others. I’ve seen firsthand how cold and authoritative he can be. But whenever he talks to me, his tone becomes so gentle and soft that I don’t know how to deal with him. Even now, as he approaches me, abandoning his work, there’s an amused smile playing on his lips, a happiness in his eyes that only shows when he’s looking at me.

I harden my heart. “You’re a shifter. I can’t beat you with my fists because I doubt they’ll do much damage, but I’m sure I can give you a few good whacks with this.”

His amusement just seems to grow. “And why do I need to get whacked?”

He needs to stop looking so darn cute all the time.

I point the rake at him, my tone threatening. “That’s close enough. I don’t like being manipulated, Griffin.”

The laughter and amusement fade from his eyes at my words. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fated mate bond, the one you very conveniently kept from me.”

Understanding forms on his face, followed by guilt. “Who told you?”