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She’d left his office with fire in her voice and pain in her eyes, and he’d let her go. Stood there like a damn coward while she told him everything he already knew—he was pushing her away. Hurting her. And for what? So he could pretend he was still in control of this thing—this bond that tugged at him every time she laughed, every time she walked into a room and made the walls feel warmer.

He ran a hand through his dark, almost black hair and paced his office, boots thudding dully against the old pine floors. The morning sun filtered through the tall windows in soft gold sheets, but it didn’t warm the place. It couldn’t reach him today.

“Just apologize,” he muttered to himself, dragging a palm down his jaw. “Tell her she’s right. That you’re scared. That she matters.”

But his chest clenched at the thought.

Because once he said it—once he opened that door—there would be no closing it again. No pretending the mate bond didn’t exist. No denying that his world, his pack, his future had changed the second Lyra Ravenshade walked into Moonfang Keep in that ridiculous sweater and asked if he wanted a muffin.

He exhaled sharply and turned toward the door, only to freeze at the sound of voices just beyond it.

Reception.

“—phone call for you,” Delia said, her tone bland in that way she used when she wanted someone to know shewasjudging them but alsowouldn’tbe caught dead saying it aloud.

Lyra answered, voice muffled but unmistakable. “Hello?”

Jace didn’t mean to eavesdrop.

Truly.

But the second he heardhisvoice, smooth, polished,wrong—every hair on Jace’s body stood on end.

“Miss Ravenshade,” Ezra drawled, “hope I’m not disturbing your morning.”

Jace’s hands curled into fists.

Lyra didn’t sound pleased. “This line’s for Keep business.”

“I like to think of this as… diplomatic outreach. Celestial Pines is small, and I’d hate to let politics get in the way of good company.”

Jace moved closer to the door, silent as a shadow.

“I’m flattered,” Lyra said, tone polite but cool. “But I have a lot to catch up on after yesterday.”

“You work too hard. That’s Alpha Montgomery’s influence, no doubt.”

“Well, he runs a tight ship.”

A soft, charismatic laugh that made Jace want to rip Ezra’s throat out came over the phone.

“I’m sure. Well, seeing as you’re so busy, would you like to have dinner tonight and continue our conversation?”

“Tonight I’ve already got plans,” she added, cutting him off gently. “I’m spending the evening with my cousin. We’ve had it scheduled.”

A pause.

Then Ezra’s voice again, quieter, tinged with something oily. “Another time, then. I do hope you are enjoying the flowers I sent you as well.”

Flowers?Jace snarled to himself.

“I appreciate them. I do have to go though. Have a good day.”

Click.

Jace exhaled, slow and controlled.

The red haze in his mind had started to lift the second she’d declined. But not by much.