*Jared*

My heart stuck in my throat as I approached Eliza.

She stood with a Royal Guard. I could tell he was asking her to dance.

I strode toward her quickly, ready to intervene. I just knew that the moment she saw me, she wouldn’t accept a dance from someone else. Even without the mate bond, the connection between us was stronger than anything else she could feel for anyone else.

I kept my eyes on her as I approached, knowing she’d feel ...