He chuckled, as if the answer should have been obvious. "We're mates, remember? I can always sense where you are, just as you can sense me. It's a bond that can never be broken, no matter how much you may wish it so."

My jaw tightened, and I remembered that we were technically still mates. None of us had rejected each other, which meant we were still linked. I had hoped, foolishly, that in this new apartment, in this fresh start, I might be able to finally free myself from Kieran's all-encompassing presence. I was definitely going to reject him but I was not going to do it where no one was watching. It was going to be out in the public so I could humiliate him just like he had done to me. He needed to have a taste of his own medicine.

"So what do you want from me now?" I asked in an exasperated tone.

Kieran's expression softened, and he took a step closer, his hand reaching out to caress my cheek. I fought the urge to lean into his touch, to allow myself to be drawn back into his orbit. "My darling Selena, I simply can't stay away. Not when I know you're hurting."