AFTER THE REJECTION

Tristan's eyes lingered on the spot where Athena vanished, his heart heavy with regret. He knew he'd hurt her, and the weight of that knowledge settled like a stone in his chest. The mate bond, still pulsing between them, seemed to mock him, a constant reminder of what he was trying to deny.

With a sigh, Tristan stood, his eyes scanning the darkness. He knew he had to find himself, to understand his werewolf nature and the strange, mystical world he'd been thrust into. But as he turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just made a grave mistake.

Athena's words echoed in his mind: "The mate bond won't wait. It'll only grow stronger, more insistent. You can't ignore it forever." Tristan's heart raced at the thought, a thrill of fear mixed with anticipation. What would happen when the bond became too strong to ignore? Would he be able to resist its pull, or would he succumb to its power?

Only time would tell. Time, was presently all he had. He must resume to the agency so