POV: Juliana Capulet

Home was exactly as terrible as I'd expected.

My parents spent Friday evening introducing me to distant relatives who'd heard about the engagement and wanted to offer congratulations. Each conversation felt like nails on a chalkboard, every well-meaning comment about my future with Lorenzo making the mate bond twist painfully in my chest.

"You must be so excited," Aunt Carolina said over dinner. "Lorenzo is such a catch. Strong, handsome, excellent ...