|| Alaric’s POV ||

The grip on the wheel tightened as I heard her. She didn’t want to be seen with me!

“Are you ashamed of me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible. Was I not good enough? Was this because I never stood in the election or shared Kael’s dream? She bit her bottom lips for a moment.

“No,” she said quickly, her heart pounding. “It’s just… complicated.”

I let out a bitter laugh, the sound sharp and cutting. “Nothing ...