Sarah’s POV
Alexander’s resolute figure disappeared through the doorway, and I felt my vision blur as my knees weakened. I nearly collapsed right there in the parking lot.
It wasn’t a conscious choice to push him away; my body had reacted before my mind could process what was happening, the phantom sensation of restraints triggering my defensive response.
The look in his eyes when I rejected his touch… God, it destroyed me.
Alexander and I had just started rebuilding what was lost. Now we were back to square one.
No, this was worse than square one. Much worse.
Everything was becoming increasingly complicated, tangled in ways I couldn’t begin to untangle. My chest ached with a hollow pain that made it difficult to breathe, exhaustion weighing down every part of my being. “Sarah? Are you crying?” Elena touched my shoulder gently, her voice laced with concern.
I shook my head quickly, blinking away the moisture. “No, I just… got something in my eye. Dust or something.”
“You don’t look well,” she pressed, her healer’s instincts clearly detecting my distress.
“I need to use the restroom,” I muttered, avoiding her penetrating gaze. “You go ahead to the private room. I’ll join you in a minute.”
Elena hesitated, but nodded reluctantly. “Don’t be long.”
Once alone in the upscale restaurant’s bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face, trying desperately to regain my composure. But Alexander’s wounded, angry expression haunted me. His parting words cut like knives – each syllable precisely aimed to inflict maximum damage.
“You push me away every time we get close,” he had growled, frustration and hurt evident in his voice. “What am I supposed to think, Summer?”
That name – my real name – still felt foreign after all these years of being Sarah.
–
I gripped the marble countertop, fighting back another wave of tears. The mate bond between us, damaged as it was, still pulsed with pain at our separation.
“Oh. My. God. Summer Winster? It IS you!”
The shrill voice behind me made my blood run cold. In the mirror’s reflection, I saw her – Suzanna – standing in the doorway, her face a mask of exaggerated shock.
I turned slowly, carefully masking my reaction despite the alarm bells ringing inside my head. This woman had called me by my real name, my former identity – the one I’d abandoned five years ago when I fled the pack.
My already foul mood darkened further. I was in no state to deal with this woman, especially after what just happened with Alexander.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I replied coolly, watching her through narrowed eyes.“My name is
Sarah Winters.”
Her eyes widened.
“Sarah! You’re supposed to be-”
“I’m supposed to be what?” I interrupted, a dangerous smile forming on my lips as I took slow, deliberate steps toward her.
“Supposed to be dragged to that seaside cabin and violated by those men you hired?”
Suzanna’s eyes widened as she backed away.
“Or perhaps,” I continued, advancing on her, “I was supposed to be sold at that yacht auction like merchandise? Maybe I was supposed to be tortured, stabbed, and left to die?
My body sinking into the ocean depths, never to be found? Is that what you meant, Suzanna?”
Her face paled dramatically. “I don’t know what you’re-”
“Save it,” I hissed, “I know you were involved in my kidnapping. I survived. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“You’re crazy,” she stammered, attempting to play dumb. “I never—
“Coward,” I spat, the word hanging between us like venom.
Her fear quickly morphed to anger. With a shriek, she raised her hand to slap me, but I caught her wrist mid–air, squeezing just enough to make her wince.
“My, my… touchy, aren’t we?” I taunted, still holding her wrist. “How’s Moore doing these days? Still teaching him to hate others to compensate for your failures?”
Her expression cracked at the mention of her son. “Don’t you dare–,” she hissed, but quickly tried to regain composure.
