Chapter 83

VALERIA

The twins' questions hit me like a sack of bricks.

My breath caught in my throat as a flush of embarrassment crept up my cheeks. How could I possibly explain to them that their father had accidentally marked me during a moment of raw, unbridled passion? They were too young to understand the complexities of mate bonding and marking, let alone the turbulent history Reese and I shared.

I forced a tight-lipped smile, hoping it might mask the rising panic within me.

Just relax, Valeria. Keep it cool.

Reese stood by the counter, silently preparing smoothies, his movements slow and deliberate. I caught his gaze and held it, pleading silently for him to go along with whatever lie I could concoct on the spot. He offered a small nod, almost imperceptible as if to say he trusted me to handle this.

Clearing my throat, I managed to string together a flimsy story. “Oh, that,” I began, trying to keep my voice light and casual. “It was just an accident. I tripped in the dark and bashed my nec