[Elena's POV]

My heart hammered.

I looked at the people surrounding us.

My mother wept freely. My fierce grandfather gripped his cane, paralyzed by the gravity of the gesture.

My overprotective brother stood still.

My best friend was holding her phone to record the moment.

My entire world gathered in this ancient courtyard, watching the most dangerous man in the hemisphere surrender his pride.

"I am a monster, Elena," Noah said, his voice dropping to a dark gravel. "But I am your monster. Be ...