And just like that, Oliver’s anger erupted, causing him to grab the nearest object, a chair, and hurl it out the window. The window shattered into a cascade of glass fragments, scattering around the room and cutting into his skin. Remarkably, the pain didn’t register; the overriding sensation was an overwhelming hurt as if his heart had been forcibly ripped from his chest, only to be trampled upon before being shoved back into its place, subjected to the process anew.

Fury consumed him. His mate had left him, abruptly and without explanation. Surveying the wreckage he had inadvertently caused, the room looked as chaotic as his emotions. Amid the disarray,...