Hailey's POV

The clock seemed to tick louder than ever as I sat at my desk, surrounded by the delicate fabrics and colors of the boutique where I worked. Two days had passed, and the deafening silence from him lingered in my mind, casting a shadow over the vibrant displays. Adrian, my mate, hadn't reached out, and guilt gnawed at my insides.

I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that lingered in the air. Guilt weighed heavy on my chest. Sitting at my desk in the cozy boutique where I worked ...