As soon as I heard the explosion, my anger surged. Although, whatever came through Adika's phone, possibly the email, spared me from having to respond to her question with yet another lie. I had contemplated crafting a lie, but a growing urge within me pushed me to be honest with her. This explained why my answers to her questions had been the briefest versions of the truth.

The mate bond is an incredibly potent force. As a griffin, I never anticipated experiencing it. It has drastically altered the plans I had initially set in motion. I've learned Adika's first name is Adika and her last name is Elliot, which is...