Sandy's POV
Grey's gaze flicked toward me before settling back on the chessboard. I remained perfectly still, my eyes locked on him, bracing myself for whatever devastating truth was about to shatter what remained of my world.
"Your mother and I were destined mates," he said quietly.
My hands curled into tight fists. Another piece of reality I desperately wanted to reject but couldn't ignore.
"Did she run away from you?" The words barely escaped my lips.
"No." His fingers moved chess pieces aimlessly across the board, as though our game had lost all meaning. "For the longest time, I believed she had. I searched everywhere, turned over every stone, followed every lead. Nothing. I was consumed with rage, plotting my revenge against the woman who had abandoned our bond. But tracking someone without a mark proved impossible."
