After I told Andrew I refused to be his mate, I didn’t say another word for the rest of the afternoon.

I sat by the window, staring at the horizon as the sun dipped lower, casting the sky in shades of gold and crimson. A strange sense of detachment settled over me.

A quiet acceptance.

Would I survive this?

Probably not.

My fingers curled against the cool windowsill. “Gabriel… if I don’t make it, will you take me to my father’s grave?”

Gabriel, who had been leaning against the wall in tense silence, jerked upright.

His eyes flashed, pupils narrowing with alarm. “Don’t say that.” His voice was sharp, almost...