The new day dawned, and Livia was already awake—blankly staring at the rising sun through the glass wall that led to the veranda.
She could still feel the sting and pain from the marks Alaric had left on her skin. Beyond that, she felt utterly broken—her body aching from the cruel punishment he had inflicted.
Slowly, she lifted her knees and rested her chin upon them. Tears welled in her eyes when she heard Lilly's gentle voice echo inside her mind. > "Are you alright, Livia?"
Livia shook her head faintly. "I'm scared," she whispered. And with those two words, her tears finally fell. "I'm not used to this, Lilly. I'm afraid to face him. I'm starting to doubt if I can truly accept that our mate is a Lycan—especially after what he did to us."
> "I understand your fear," Lilly replied softly. "But remember, Aldus isn't the one who hurt us. It was Alaric who took control. Aldus tried to stop him."
