Auren POV

It struck like an icy blade sharp, merciless a cruel reminder that even though every move I made was for the survival of my people, I was still betraying the one person who mattered most to me.

“And you never will be,” I said coldly. “That doesn’t change the fact that I just gave you an order.” I gestured toward the room with a flick of my wrist. “You’ll stay here. With me.”

Her head jerked up. “With you? You don’t want to mate with me. I’m just a servant… ...