Our bond had been forged beneath countless full moons. The Moon Goddess herself had blessed it. It could not crumble simply because of a single accusation.
Just because his stepsister claimed something had happened and my brother had become the accused did not mean Caleb could simply destroy our marriage… or the sacred bond tying our wolves together.
I needed to speak with him.
I had to make him understand.
I remained seated in the quiet chamber of the packhouse for a long time, my thoughts spiraling endlessly. Finally, gathering the last of my courage, I closed my eyes and reached out through the mate mindlink that still connected us.
My wolf stirred anxiously.
Caleb…
For a moment, there was nothing but silence.
Then the link opened.
He had heard me.
But neither of us spoke.
Silence stretched between our minds like thick fog drifting through a dark forest—heavy, suffocating, impossible to escape.
I squeezed my eyes shut as tears slipped down my cheeks.
Through the bond, I could feel his presence.
His emotions were turbulent.
Rough.
Unsteady.
Like a wolf barely holding itself back from losing control.
Caleb… I whispered again.
A long breath echoed faintly through the link.
Aria.