Mina’s heart thudded loudly in her chest. Theo’s words hung in the air like a whisper she couldn’t escape.
“I–I wasn’t trying to run,” she stammered, but even to her own ears the excuse sounded weak.
Theo tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes searching her face. “Then why did you pack your things?”
Her breath caught. How… how did he know?
He took a slow step forward, his gaze never leaving hers. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? Beta Matt saw you earlier in the garden. I asked him to keep an eye on you.”
Shock rippled through her. So Matt’s visit hadn’t been out of loneliness after all. He had been sent by Theo—sent to stop her from leaving.
Theo’s voice softened, the authority melting into something raw. “Why, Mina? Why did you want to go, even when you know what we are
