Gabriella’s POV

I woke up the following morning, feeling a slight shift within myself, as if my entire being was connected to just one person—Nicklaus. I stretched my hands out to touch him, but the bed was empty. The room was devoid of his presence. Where had he gone so early? Could it be a pack-related matter? I had assumed we would have more time together, like a honeymoon after our marriage. It seemed that wasn't going to be the case.

I gingerly touched the place on my body where he had bitten me last night. The pain had subsided; it was now just a mate mark. I hurried to...