Nicolas’s POV

I slammed the office door behind me.

The sound echoed through the empty hallway. Satisfying. But not enough to calm the rage churning in my gut.

Dinner had been a disaster.

She’d sat there like a cornered animal. Trembling. Barely eating. Eyes fixed on her plate like it might attack her at any moment.

My mate.

The Moon Goddess had given me a mate who couldn’t even look at me without flinching.

I crossed to the liquor cabinet. Grabbed the whiskey. Poured three fingers into a glass.

Downed it in one swallow.

The burn did nothing to settle my wolf’s howling.

*She fears us. Why does she fear us? We saved her. We’re HER MATE.*

"Shut up," I muttered.

But my wolf was right. That was the part that didn’t make sense.

I’d saved her from Maxim. Marked her. Claimed her as mine in front of everyone.

Protected her.

And she still looked at me like I was going to rip her throat out.

I poured another glass. Stared at the amber liquid.

Her face flashed through my mind. Those storm-blue eyes wide with terror. Her body curling inward every time I moved.

The way she’d pulled that blanket over her head like it could protect her from me.

My grip tightened on the glass. The crystal creaked.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"What?" I barked.

The door opened. Roman stepped inside. Careful. Measured.

He knew better than to approach when I was like this.

"My lord," he said evenly. "You wanted to speak with me?"

Right. I had summoned him.

I gestured to the chair across from my desk. "Sit."

Roman sat. Spine straight. Hands folded in his lap.

Always so goddamn composed.

I leaned against the desk. Crossed my arms.

"My mate," I said flatly. "Why is she so afraid of me?"

Roman’s expression didn’t change. But I saw something flicker in his eyes. Uncertainty.

"I’m not certain, my lord."

"Guess."

He drew in a breath. Chose his words carefully.

"Perhaps... perhaps the rumors have some truth to them."

My jaw clenched. "Meaning?"

"The stories about her and Maxim." Roman’s tone remained neutral. Professional. "About her pursuing him. About what she... wanted."

He paused.

"If those rumors are true, then perhaps she’s afraid you’ll discover the truth. That you’ll reject her once you realize what she is."

What she is.

I stared at him. Let the silence stretch.

Roman held my gaze. Steady.

"I would advise," he said quietly, "that you maintain distance. For your own protection."

I laughed. Short. Harsh.

"Get out."

Roman stood immediately. Bowed slightly.

"Of course, my lord."

He moved toward the door.

Before he could reach it, it swung open.

Andrei strolled in. All casual confidence and easy smiles.

His arm draped over Roman’s shoulder before Roman could step aside.

"Evening, gentlemen," Andrei said cheerfully. "Lovely night for brooding, isn’t it?"

I glared at him. "I didn’t summon you."

"No, but I heard raised voices. Thought I’d investigate." He grinned. "Plus, Roman here looked like he needed rescuing."

Roman’s expression remained carefully blank. But I saw the muscle jump in his jaw.

Andrei looked between us. His grin faded slightly.

"Let me guess," he said. "We’re discussing the new mate situation?"

"We’re done discussing it," I said through clenched teeth.

"Are we?" Andrei released Roman. Moved further into the room. "Because from what I can tell, we’re not even close to done."

He leaned against the wall. Arms crossed.

"You want to know why she’s scared of you?"

"I know why," I snapped. "Roman just explained—"

"Roman explained the rumors," Andrei interrupted. "Not the truth."

Roman turned. "Andrei—"

"No, seriously." Andrei’s tone had lost its usual lightness. "Have either of you actually talked to her? Listened to her? Or are we just believing whatever gossip Maxim’s pack spread?"

I stared at him. "What are you saying?"

"I’m saying maybe—just maybe—the rumors are bullshit." Andrei pushed off the wall. "I met her tonight. Brought her ice cream. Had a conversation."

"And?" I demanded.

"And she’s terrified," Andrei said bluntly. "Not just of you. Of everything. She barely made it through opening the door for me."

He moved closer.

"That’s not the behavior of someone who spent months chasing an alpha. That’s the behavior of someone who’s been hurt. Badly."

Roman made a dismissive sound. "Or someone who knows she’s been caught—"

"Maybe," Andrei said slowly, "you’re just too intense. Too angry. And she can feel that."

"I’m not angry at her," I growled.

"Aren’t you?" Andrei tilted his head. "Because from where I’m standing, you’re furious."

My hands clenched. Bones cracked.

"Get out," I said quietly. "Both of you."

I crossed to my desk. Sat heavily in the leather chair.

Work. I needed to work. Focus on something I understood.

Business. Territory. The things I could control.

I pulled files toward me. Started reading.

Hours passed. The moon climbed higher outside my window.

I signed contracts. Reviewed reports. Made decisions that would affect hundreds of lives.

All of it mechanical. Automatic.

My mind kept drifting back to her.

To the way she’d looked at dinner. Small. Fragile. Broken.

To the bruises covering her body. Layer upon layer of old injuries.

To the terror in her eyes when I’d touched her in the car.

A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.

I glanced at the clock. Past midnight.

Who the hell—?

"Come in," I called.

Sofia pushed the door open. One of the omega servants. Her face was pale. Worried.

"My lord," she said quickly. "I’m sorry to disturb you, but—"

"Spit it out."

"It’s Miss Irina." Sofia twisted her hands together. "She’s very ill. Stomach problems. Severe vomiting. I thought you should know."

Every muscle in my body went rigid.

"What?" The word came out sharp. Dangerous.

I was already moving. Pushing past Sofia into the hallway.

"When did this start?" I demanded.

Sofia hurried to keep up. "About twenty minutes ago. I heard her crying out. Found her in the bathroom—"

I started walking again. Faster now.

The hallways blurred. Servants scattered out of my path.

I reached Irina’s door.

Roman stood outside it. And Andrei.

Of course Andrei was here. He stuck his tongue out guiltily.