Esmond's POV
As Camellia spoke, her voice began to tremble.
That shaky voice struck my heart, one blow after another.
I watched the tears trembling on her lashes, my throat suddenly feeling like it had been rubbed raw with sandpaper.
"I'm really sorry…"
Since she'd brought up rejection, I'd said "I'm sorry" too many times, but this time the burning pain on my tongue felt especially real.
When she wiped her tears, the faint mark from her ring finger gleamed white in the moonlight. It suddenly reminded me of the night eight years ago when I'd slipped the ring onto her finger. Her ears had been just as red then.
My wolf clawed restlessly in my mind.
The sharp sound pierced my temples. It longed for its mate, longed to repair the broken mate bond.
"Go home," she said, her wrist still
