14

XADEN

I couldn't let it happen. This was my mate. How could I let her be with another man when she was supposed to be mine. I knew this was hurting her. But it had to happen.

The thought of Jeremy married to her… She'd be his in name and he'd have rights to her body. She’d spend her nights in his bed, his ring on her delicate finger, his hands on her porcelain skin…

“Fine,” I snapped, harsher than intended. She flinched but I couldn't hold back anymore— it was hard to stop a rushing dam once it's been broken. “If that's how you want to play it, Soraya, then you've forced my hand.” I bit out the remaining words, my voice ice-cold and detached— the calm facade I'd carefully built had begun to crack. “I'll have my people draw up a petition for the council. I will ensure your so-called wedding is postponed, and eventually canceled. And Jeremy can definitely expect a summons from the council soon enough.” I wasn’t going to let that marriage happen. No matter how much she thought it was so