Page 5

Orin

THE MEMORY OF OLIVIA with another male made me clench my jaw in irritation.

I’d not laid eyes on her in many rotations while I’d been away serving the city guard on behalf of the King. Earlier in the day I’d reported to King Trex. Afterward, I ventured down the hall past her suite.

The sight of her speaking to a male sparked an intense anger, akin to a blazing fire. But the thing that still distressed me most was what I’d overheard.

She’d told the male she planned to leave Alara once the youngling was born.

I felt my heart being pulled and twisted in anguish. The mere notion of her absence from Alara felt like an unbearable weight on my heart.

Being a warrior held great significance to me. It was the only thing I was familiar with. However, I had no desire to be on a ship that would take me away from my planet for long periods of time.

I stayed here for good because of Olivia.

AFTER LEAVING THE PALACE I went back to my position at the marketplace later in the day.

I tried to push my emotions aside and focus on my job when the sound of shouting echoed through the air. Scanning the crowd, I hoped to spot the troublemakers I’d been sent to investigate.

My eyes fell upon something unexpected and my breath caught. Olivia stood in the busy marketplace. Her presence caused me to stop in my tracks.

My heart pounded like a Tulian war drum, overwhelming my senses as it filled my ears, while my fingers grew taut by my sides.

Our eyes met, and I couldn’t break the connection. The rhythmic pulse of my mating marks resonated within me as my emotions swirled in chaos. Gods, I wanted her. The intensity of wanting to go to her and hold her in my arms engulfed me, causing unbearable longing.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but show my displeasure when I witnessed her with the male companion I had seen her with earlier. The sight triggered a reaction in my body. My throat felt dry and my muscles tightened.

It appeared she’d chosen another male as her mate.

The weight of regret settled on my shoulders as I cursed myself for my own carelessness. The responsibility for losing her fell on me.

A moment later, I saw the group of menacing males pushed past, causing Olivia to lose her footing, and she stumbled.

Her mate pulled her away from the flutzing grik’s in time to stop her from falling, but it didn't stop my instincts from kicking in.

The roar that erupted from within me was uncontrollable. The primal urge to defend my mate took hold, leading me to lunge at the male who dared to harm her.

His jaw felt the impact of my fist, causing his head to jerk backwards.

When I stepped away and met her gaze again, I found it hard to breathe. The knowledge that Olivia had moved on shattered my heart into a million fragments. I felt a deep, agonizing pain in my chest. I wished I had let her know how I felt earlier.

Before I could reach her to make sure she was alright, my focus was broken by the sound of someone calling my name. My head spun to see a fellow guardsman giving me a scolding look.

“Some help here?” He tilted his head at an angry male who was struggling with his wrist cuffs.

My mind and heart were in a tumultuous storm of conflicting thoughts and emotions. I desperately wanted to go to her, but I was bound by my commitment to the King and this mission with the city guard.

Before I averted my gaze, a powerful growl emerged from the depths of my being as I observed her and the male departing. The reminder she had chosen another male tore at my heart.

The presence of Olivia near the altercation today was worrisome, when considering that her chosen companion might face discrimination from the purist group due to their mixed parentage.

I held on to hope that she would be happy and her mate would welcome and treat the human youngling well.

Regardless, I knew a piece of my soul would always remain connected to her.