29 Clarissa

I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, my mind racing with thoughts of Jalen and the moment we shared outside. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was making a mistake by agreeing to marry Ivan.

Marriage was a long-term commitment, and without love, how was such a marriage going to stand?

But no one was in support of my relationship with Jalen because of the werewolf and the Lycan feud, and our romance was forbidden.

I rolled over onto my side, pulling the covers up to my chin. I tried to clear my mind, but the image of Jalen's face kept creeping back into my thoughts.

He was so handsome in a rugged way, with his dark hair and piercing hazel eyes. I remembered the way he looked at me, the way his eyes seemed to see right through me. It was like he could read my every thought and feeling.

I groaned, feeling a pang of guilt in my chest as I thought about Ivan. He didn't deserve this and I knew marrying him was a huge mistake but I didn't have a choice.

I tossed and turned, trying