Page 66 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

I looked into his eyes, into those eyes identical to Lucifer's, at the hope and pleading in them. My heart pounded violently in my chest, each beat asking—what are you going to do?

I wanted to say yes. I wanted to pull him into my arms and tell him, "I'll take you away, we'll never go back."

But I couldn't.

He was Lucifer's only son. The Hale heir. If I took him away, what would happen? Would the Elder Council let me go? What if they found Anya? What would they do?

And... and Lucifer had been looking for me for five years.

The thought stuck in my heart like a thorn. He'd looked for five years. He'd abolished those regulations against half-bloods. He'd announced Liam's identity.

Did he regret it?

But that didn't matter anymore. I couldn't trust him to build a family with me again. I'd hoped once. Then I'd been hurt completely. I had a shadow now. I didn't dare gamble again, didn't dare be brave again.

"Liam, I—"

"Forget it." He let go of my hand, lowering his head. "I know. You won't take me."

"It's not like that—"

"It's fine." He rubbed his eyes. "I understand. I just... I just wanted to ask. Can I see you guys again sometimes?"

Liam's eyes were red. I couldn't hold back anymore. I grabbed his hand. "Liam, I—"

"Elena?"

A voice came from the doorway.

My body went rigid instantly.

That voice.

The scent of cedar and amber suddenly flooded in, cutting through every smell in the fast-food restaurant—the aroma of fried food, the antiseptic, the crowd—drilling straight into my nose.

My wolf shot to its feet. It let out a low whine inside me, tail rigid.

I turned my head slowly.

Lucifer stood in the doorway of the fast-food joint.

Chapter Twenty

Lucifer

Five years.

For five years, I'd thought about what I'd say if I saw her again. I'd apologize. Tell her I was wrong. Beg her to forgive me. I'd imagined a thousand scenarios—her crying, screaming at me, hitting me.

I never imagined this.

She just sat there, watching me like I was a stranger.

I'd followed Liam's scent to this fast-food joint, and she was the first thing I saw. Crouched in front of Liam, hand on his shoulder, saying something. Sunlight streamed through the window, catching in her hair like liquid gold.

Then she turned. Saw me.

My breath stopped.