Page 67 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

Lily and bay leaf slammed into me—stronger than I remembered, more real. It cut through everything else in that place—fried food, bleach, the crowd's sweat—drove straight into my lungs, into every cell in my body.

My wolf surged up, snarling.

Mate.

I'd searched for her for five years.

Five years combing every corner of Silver pine, the neighboring cities, even risking the human districts. I'd checked every record, questioned everyone who might've seen her.

She'd vanished.

And now she stood right in front of me.

She rose, instinctively shielding the little girl behind her. The girl peeked out—gray eyes rimmed with pale gold.

My heart lurched.

My daughter.

Elena's daughter. Our daughter.

"Elena." My voice came out rough. "Can we talk?"

She didn't answer. Just looked at me with that calm that terrified me.

Liam stepped between us. "Your Majesty." His tone was ice. "What do you want?"

"Liam, go home." I didn't take my eyes off Elena.

"I won't—"

"Liam." Elena's hand touched his shoulder. "Wait here with Anya, okay? I need to talk to your father."

Liam glanced between us, then nodded.

Elena bent to whisper something to the little girl—Anya—who nodded and took Liam's hand. Then Elena headed for the door.

I followed.

The street bustled with people, sunlight harsh. My car sat nearby, Marcus beside it. He opened the rear door when he saw us.

"Get in," I said.

Elena looked at the car, then back at the restaurant. Hesitated. Finally climbed in. I slid in beside her. Marcus shut the door, moved to the driver's seat, but didn't start the engine.

Silence.

I turned to her. She leaned against her door, body angled away, keeping distance. Her hands gripped her knees, knuckles white.

"Are you okay?" First thing I could think to say.

She looked at me, mouth curving—not a smile. Mockery.

"What do you think?"

My throat closed.

"Elena, I—"