Theodore's POV
When Seraphine disappeared, Federico unleashed his fury on me with unprecedented intensity.
"Your fear of others discovering she's our mate has backfired spectacularly. Not only have you wounded her deeply, but now she's fled from us. If we fail to locate her, I'm done with you forever."
My panic mixed with burning rage as I snarled back in frustration. "You want to know why I was terrified? It's because of your reckless demands!"
"My desires are crystal clear," he rumbled menacingly. "I want to claim and mark what belongs to us. You're the one drowning in uncertainty about your true intentions."
Rather than continue this pointless battle, I shut him out completely and bolted into the wilderness, my pulse hammering like thunder before a devastating storm. What if Seraphine had ventured toward Eldermere? The northern woodlands surrounding my territory carried whispers of ancient curses on every breeze.
