Chapter 4

Ezra got dressed, walked over,

and took the scroll from my hands as if nothing had happened.

He hooked an arm around my waist. “Hungry? What prey do you want tonight? I’ll hunt it down myself.”

I didn’t move. He arched an eyebrow, like something had just occurred to him.

He flashed a lazy smile, his fingers circling my hip. “Mad? You want me? I’ll have the guards prep another hot spring on the Moonlight Terrace—”

None of this was new. I’d always known.

I knew he slept around. I knew he was wild.

But I walked into his territory anyway. I played the fool. I was the one who gave him the power to hurt me.

So I couldn’t blame anyone. I didn’t hate anyone. Not even Ezra.

I always knew we would end one day.

But I kept holding on. Just a little longer.

Now the end was finally here. And to my surprise, all I felt was relief.

Maybe my heart had already gone numb.

I pulled Ezra’s hand away. Took the scroll back without looking up.

“Ezra.”

“I am breaking our mating bond.”