JASMINE'S POV
The days passed in a strange, heavy fog.
I kept my distance from Aiden. Physically, at least.
Emotionally?
That was harder.
He wasn't locking me up. But he wasn't letting me leave, either.
Every time I tried to step outside—onto the veranda, down the garden steps, even toward the gates—Kieran was conveniently there.
"Not safe yet," he'd tell me in a calm but firm voice. "Alpha's orders."
"Of course, it's Aiden's order," I muttered as I turned around.
It wasn't a prison.
But it wasn't freedom.
And that gnawed at me.
Because no matter how much I told myself I didn't want him near me… I could feel him in every corner of this house.
He wasn't hovering, but he left… pieces of himself everywhere.
A mug of my favourite tea left steaming on the kitchen counter, even though I hadn't told anyone I liked it.
Fresh jasmine flowers arranged in a simple glass vase by the window.
