"Whether you're..."
His words were cut short by music suddenly flooding the room.The host began announcing that the auction would commence shortly, requesting guests to take their seats.
The crowd began flowing toward the auction hall, several people passing by us with curious glances at how close we stood.
I seized the opportunity, slipping through the gap between Kayden and the display case.
"My apologies, Mr. Blackwood," I said, forcing my voice to sound steady. "I still have matters to attend to. If you're interested in 'Moonlight Shards,' you can participate in the upcoming auction."
I turned to leave, but Kayden's voice rang out again:
"Layla."
That name froze me like a spell.
My footsteps halted, but I didn't turn around.
"My name is Ella Ross," I repeated once more, as if warning him—and warning myself. "Please stop calling me by the wrong name, sir."
Then I walked briskly toward the restroom, practically fleeing.
I could feel his gaze pursuing me until I rounded the corner and vanished from his sight.
In the restroom, I braced myself against the sink, gasping for air.
The woman in the mirror had flushed cheeks, panicked eyes, chest heaving violently—she looked like she'd just run a marathon.
This didn't look like Ella Ross.
This looked like Layla Gray.
The Layla whose heart would race from just one of Kayden's glances.
"No," I told my reflection. "You're not her anymore."
I turned on the tap, splashing cold water on my face. The icy shock cleared my head somewhat, but my heart still raced at a terrifying pace.
Seven years. I thought I'd grown strong enough to face him without wavering.
But I was wrong.
Just standing before him, just being looked at by him, just being touched by him... all my defenses had crumbled.
My body still remembered his touch, my wolf still craved his scent, my soul still mourned that severed bond.
Damn the mate bond.
I'd thought seven years of separation would weaken this pull, but it had only intensified, grown so powerful I'd nearly forgotten what he'd done.
I closed my eyes, forcing myself to remember.
Remember that Full Moon night, his cold eyes.
"Silver Moon Pack's Luna could never be someone like you."
Remember how he publicly rejected me.
"I, Kayden Blackwood, formally reject Layla Gray as my mate."
