When I had stopped myself crying once again, I left the room, closed the door behind me and dragged myself through the castle with little motivation to do anything.

A few doors down from Connor's room was a group of soldiers. It wasn't until I got further down the hall that I realised who was talking to them.

My mate instantly sensed me, dismissed his soldiers before checking me up and down with a concerned expression.

We stood silently for a few moments, neither of us knowing what to say.

"Can I travel with Luca?" I asked quietly.

He paused for a brief moment before nodding.

"I don't expect you to forgive me but I want you to know that I've never regretted anything more in my life," he explained in a soft tone.

I nodded.

"...Are you okay?" he added.

"I've been better," I whispered before walking past him and towards the exit of the castle, Connor's belongings still in my arms.

"I spoke to Leo," I said to Luca after finally finding him amongst the busy activity of the Stella army preparing to go back to its territory.

The temperatures were also below freezing so I was glad for Connor's thick jacket.

"What did you say?" he asked as he loaded crates onto a truck.

"Not much. I asked if I could travel with you, he said yes. And he also said that he doesn't expect me to forgive him but he wants me to know how remorseful he feels," I explained.

"He does have a heart then," Luca grumbled.

"Luca," I warned. "He is your Alpha remember."

"I know, I know but I can't help but be angry at him for doing this to my best friend. What kind of monster kills their mate's brother?" Luca questioned with spite in his voice.

"Hello my favourite little cousin," a voice said from behind us. I turned around at the sound of a familiar voice to become face to face with Max.

I hugged him and he gently rested his head on my shoulder.

"I heard what happened," he whispered. "Are you okay?"

I nodded hugging him tighter.

"I'm sorry for paralysing you...again," I said.

"It's okay. I understand," he said kissing my forehead. "And it's not like I almost died of hypothermia and was lying in an awkward position on my hand for twelve hours anyway."

"Awwe, Maxy. Poor baby," I cooed.copy right hot novel pub