Maya POV

The moment the bond solidifies, I drop to my knees. It's not painful. Not exactly. It's a sensation. Too much sensation. Every nerve ends firing at once. I can feel Alexei's heartbeat like it's my own. Feel his confusion. His anger. His horror at what just happened.

And underneath all of that, something deeper. The mate bond humming between us like a live wire. Ancient. Primal. Real.

"Get it out." Alexei stumbles backward, clutching his chest. "Father, remove it. Now."

"I ...