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"And if you disappoint her again," he warned, "there is at least one man in this village who would gladly fill your role in her life. Do not waste this chance you have been given."

Blaidd inclined his head, acknowledging. "I will not. Thank you."

But as he straightened, he felt tired as he weighed the obstacles ahead.

This was not his territory. And here, he was not a former alpha. He was the idiot who mistreated his precious lifemate until she had no choice but to leave him.

Chapter 37

They left the courtyard with the small boy guiding them once more through the narrow paths.

Blaidd walked slowly, hoping for a glimpse of Fae.

Halfway down the lane, two women approached from the opposite direction.

The first was delicate, almost doll-like, dressed in a rust-brown yukata. Her dark hair flowed freely around her shoulders, glossy and heavy. She walked with quiet composure while chattering away.

And next to her was Fae.

She walked beside her, long chestnut hair braided neatly down her back. She wore a white yukata patterned with soft yellow flowers that caught the winter light and made her skin glow. The colour suited her—made her seem luminous in the grey morning sunshine.

Her eyes gleamed like amber as she drew closer.

For one suspended second, she looked up and their gazes met.

Blaidd could not help it as he drank her in. He took in every line, every movement, the strength in her shoulders and the softness of her body.

Sulien was speaking beside him—something about the elders—but Blaidd did not hear a word.

As they came within arm's length, Fae seemed to rouse herself. Her spine straightened and her face smoothed into an expressionless mask.

They passed one another without touching, but as they did, their wolves brushed.

It was more like fur grazing fur in passing, a quiet acknowledgement of each other, a greeting of one's beloved.

The scent of orange blossoms permeated the cold air.

Blaidd stopped and turned to watch her.

She did not look back, but he could feel her attention on him. Even at that distance, he could hear the thunder of her heart.

A small, involuntary smile curved his mouth as his gaze dropped to her bare feet.

Fae had always hated shoes. He briefly wondered if she had thrown her moccasins away. He had spent weeks making them for her, but had never seen her wear them.

He kept looking after her long after he could no longer see her. Then he realised Sulien was no longer beside him.

Sulien was walking faster, then faster still, with the little boy running to catch up.

Blaidd frowned and moved after him.

"Sulien—wait."

But Sulien did not slow. They broke into a clearing at the centre of the training grounds. Sparks flew as steel met steel, two warriors locked in combat.

Sulien stepped between them and nearly lost his head as a blade sliced through the air where he had been standing a second earlier.

"What is wrong with you?" a sharp female voice snapped. "What are you thinking?"