The hallway felt endless as I walked away from Seraphina, my wolf practically clawing at my insides to turn back. His distress at leaving her was becoming unbearable, especially with the scent of her unhappiness lingering in the air behind me.
"She needs space," I muttered to myself, though my wolf disagreed vehemently.
I'd handled the situation poorly. The announcement of our mating ceremony had been strategic against Valerius, but I shouldn't have blindsided her. The hurt in her eyes when I'd mentioned ring shopping had been impossible to miss.
Every step I took away from her felt wrong. My wolf was restless, demanding I return to her, scent mark her, hold her—anything to ease the distance between us. But I knew that approach would only push her further away. Seraphina wasn't like wolf females who understood and accepted such behaviors. She was independent, stubborn, and rightfully upset with me.
