“What do you mean?” Sonia asked. “Of course he’s your mate. That’s why you’re here.”

Lavinia wanted to retreat, to find a way to change the subject and forget the whole thing. If Sonia found out she and Isaac were not there to celebrate, she could tell Marco and they would never be able to get Arabella free. But at this point, they had said too much. Lavinia looked at Arabella waiting for her to say something first.

“Marco wants me to be his mate,” ...