Page 118 of My Solemn Vow

They broke the truce. Secure your bride. We can’t let anything else happen.

My heart shatters in my chest. I trusted this woman. I let her into my daughter’s life. I could have kept her locked up in a tower away from the world, but instead, I let her into my home, into my bed, and if what Neil says is true, she’s betrayed us, and Kerrianne is in danger.

I don’t want to believe it. I don’t know what to believe.I rack my brain for signs of her deception that I may have missed. Maybe the deception started at the beginning. Her sexual inexperience, her softness, her willingness to explore new experiences with me — it was all an act. The smartest of ruses to play right into her hand.

My wolf is silent but with me, our hearts being ripped from our chest at the prospect.

I ball my hand into a fist around my phone and bow my head, taking a deep breath to contain the rage at being made a fool of. Fire burns through my gut, and I can’t control my heart as it pounds in my head.

With one last look at her, taking a tray of cookies out of the oven before turning it off, I let this be her last moment of peace. I let it be perhaps the last good memory I have of her. Moments are fleeting and something you can’t ever hold. We’ve had so many good moments.

Striding forward, I steel myself for what’s to come.

Maybe it’s a mistake. Maybe she didn’t know what she was doing. I need to know now, before they get here. Whatever it takes to know the truth.

Transforming from Valor the husband to Valor the interrogator, I stalk into the kitchen and grab hold of her ponytail. I drag her to the wall outside of the kitchen and press her face-first against it, pushing my body against hers, caging her in.

“Valor!” she shouts, pushing against the wall, trying to get out from under my weight.

But it’s no use; the size difference between us puts her at a disadvantage.

“You need to tell me what you did right this second. I might be able to save you, but I need to know what the fuck you did,” I snarl into her ear.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Move,” she orders, still trying to push me away. “Get off!”

“Don’t lie to me. What did you do?” I repeat, wishing I had more information to prompt a response.

Maybe she’s just done so much dirty shit she doesn’t know what I caught her in.That sickens my stomach.How could I have been so wrong about her?

Antonella kicks out, trying to strike me, but I have her pinned, so she can’t land anything more than a ridiculous tap against my body.

She quits struggling and draws slow breaths. “Valor, I don’t know what you think I did, but I assure you, I didn’t do it.”

“My father and Neil are on their way over here right now. They say they have evidence that you betrayed us. You put Kerrianne in danger. So fucking tell me right now, and maybe I can make this easier on you. Maybe I can make this look like it’s something it’s not. A life locked away in an apartment with a view is better than death.” I warn her, talking fast, hoping she hears me and what I need from her.

“I don’t know what the fuck they could possibly be bringing, but I didn’t do it. Whatever they think I did, I didn’t.” She’s drawing ragged breaths. Her forehead is pressed against the wall so I can’t see her expression.

With a snarl, I step back enough to forcibly roll her to face me. “Just. Tell. Me.”

Her eyes lock on mine, the autumn-leave tones glossy with moisture. “I don’t know what you think I did, but I didn’t do it.”

I want to believe her. From her soft lips, furrowed brow, and the sincerity in her eyes, I don’t sense deception, but maybe she’s that good. That’s been the plan all along. Make me think she’s giving everything away, but really she’s got it locked inside her. Was this some elaborate long con?

It rolls my gut. I don’t have time to waste.

With force to show her I’m serious, I grab her by the back of the neck and shoulder, turning to put her in front of me.Antonella walks on her own two feet as I steer her through the house.

Until we take the stairs down to the basement.

“Valor.” Her voice wavers with a near sob. She digs her feet into the floor, stopping her movement. “Don’t do this.”

“You’re not giving me any choice.” I hate that my voice isn’t strong, that it’s filled with gravel. She’s made me weak.

My wolf howls in mourning.No, our mate wouldn’t do this. She wouldn’t.

I ignore him, my heart breaking enough without him dying inside me as well.

Antonella fights me the entire way, reaching back to try to dislodge my grip. Her feet dragging and scrabbling against the floor, searching for purchase that doesn’t come. It’s clear she did have training, albeit not enough to fight me off.