As Mila expected, Elijah was gone when she awoke the next morning. Four times more during that week he came to her, and each morning he was gone when she woke.

She never heard him leave, but always seemed to realize it in her sleep, because her dreams would turn to nightmares where she was always alone, seeking Elijah, but unable to find him.

Try as she did to hide their affair, she couldn’t seem to stop dropping into moments of introspection, regardless of what she was supposed to be doing.

Mila tried to maintain a front, to act as she always had, but hadn’t done as well as she had hoped, as evidenced by Maeva’s confrontation a week after she had caught her daughter sneaking into her room.

Luckily, her father had been away on business, giving her a temporary respite from the fury and chaos that would surely come once he sensed she had been mate claimed.

Mila had just bitten into a piece of toast when Maeva sat at the breakfast table, her expression stern.

“What is the matter with you, Mila?”

The toast turned to paste in her suddenly dry mouth, and Mila choked when she tried to clear the bite by gulping down orange juice. Her mother watched impassively as she struggled to get down the mouthful.

Mila’s voice emerged as a croak when she was able to respond. “What do you mean?”

“You’re so distant.” Maeva shook her head. “I know you aren’t happy about the union with Jared, but you might muster a little enthusiasm for your wedding plans.”

Mila bit back a groan. Why would she be excited about planning a wedding that would trap her in a marriage she didn’t want? “I’m content to let you handle it.”

“That would be fine, but people are beginning to talk. The florist’s assistant has made several pointed remarks about your lack of interest in picking out the flowers. The caterer even mentioned to me that you weren’t very enthusiastic.” Maeva sighed. “Your apathy is garnering attention. None of it positive.”

With an exasperated sigh, Mila pushed away her breakfast plate. “I told you I didn’t want to marry him. I don’t know how you expect me to jump for joy when I’m being asked to throw my life away.”

“A hundred girls in this pack would kill for your life, Mila. You could try showing a little gratitude for the comfort a marriage to the Alpha will bring to you. And our family.” Maeva pushed Mila’s plate back toward her.

“This whole process is just so antiquated and unfair, Mother.”

“This whole process just one of the many pack traditions you have to accept and enforce as Lupina. Starting today, you’re going to take a more active role in the wedding planning. We’re meeting Jared ’s mother at their estate this afternoon to decide where to hold the ceremony. Do you suppose you can feign some interest?”

Mila picked at the food on her plate and gave a slow nod. “Sure.”

All she had to do was pretend she was with Elijah, and she could muster more enthusiasm than her mother could imagine.

Her lips twitched at the thought, somewhat buoying her from the gloomy mood threatening to possess her when reminded of the reality of the approaching wedding, now less than two weeks away.

* * *

As she and Maeva walked the Sundown Estate with Jared’s mother, Charlotte, Mila found her thoughts turning to Elijah.

She trailed behind the elder women as they strolled, their animated chatting punctuated by excited gesticulations. Mila pouted silently, careful to plaster a half-hearted, yet amiable smile on her face any time the women turned back to ask her opinion.

At least someone here is excited about this wedding.

In the distance, Jared was paced the length of an expansive deck overlooking the property as he argued with his father, probably over some inane pack problem Mila couldn’t care less about.

Mila was grateful for that small miracle, that he was so preoccupied with pack business that he couldn’t attend this ridiculous meeting. One whiff of Mila, and he would know the truth.

Jared’s absence this afternoon didn’t solve her greater problem. She had less than two weeks to confess her betrayal to the Sundown Pack, risking punishment by Jared’s hands.

Or, to run away with Elijah forever. Which meant leaving her family, her friends, and the only home she had ever known.

She swallowed hard as she thought about the alternative. Would Elijah even survive Jared’s wrath?

She looked back to the expansive manor, peering at her betrothed as he threw up his hands in frustration. If she looked closely enough, Mila could almost make out his facial expressions. Almost, but not quite.

Still, his body language was obvious enough as he stalked back and forth. Tense, rigid, without so much as a hint of compassion or compromise.

His demeanor strengthened Mila’s resolve. She would not — could not — subject her mate to Jared’s fury. They had to leave the island. Tonight.

She pressed her lips together, biting back the words she wanted so badly to say to the oblivious women making grand ceremony plans just steps away.

I. Will. Not. Marry. Jared.

There was no point in saying the words out loud. They would know soon enough. And by the time they realized she was gone, she and and Elijah would be far out of harm’s way.

The brisk spring air shifted, sending a blustery wind across the sprawling lawns, one that ripped delicate blossoms from the barely-blooming trees and whipped Mila’s untamed hair across her face in stinging lashes.

As she pushed her tangled locks away from her eyes, she caught another glimpse of Jared where he stood, motionless, at the edge of the balcony. His massive hands gripped the balcony railing, his strong arms locked straight, his head leaned forward and slightly upward.

She recognized the posture well. His was the look of a wolf who had caught a scent, and was tracking its source.

He lowered his eyes, and she held her breath as he scanned the estate, his dark stare panning across the lawn in torturously slow motion. His gaze fell on Mila, and he stopped, squaring his shoulders as he lowered his chin to watch her, in the same way a deadly predator watches his helpless prey. Patiently, cruelly, and with complete confidence in his eventual victory.

Mila froze.

Her heartbeat quickened. She glanced to Maeva and Charlotte, who were busily recounting the options for placement of the reception tent. She blinked, then looked back at Jared.

She had no way of knowing how long they stood there, staring at one another across that great expanse of verdant grass. No way of knowing how many minutes she managed to stand still, breath caught in her belly by the uncertainty, the panic, of not knowing what Jared knew.

Whether it was one minute or ten, she had no idea. But finally, Jared straightened, standing to his full height. He gave a slow shake of his head and raked a hand through his wavy black hair before turning on his heel to go back into the manor.

She swallowed hard and let out a ragged breath. If Jared had sensed Elijah’s mark on her, time was running out.

* * *

Mila’s body language and air of distraction made it clear she had no opinion on where the reception tent should be placed. The ample expanse of greenery, framed by old-growth hills, offered an abundance of choices.

But for her part, they could stake it anywhere on the grounds. To her, each suggestion only served as a reminder that she would soon be forced to choose between her love for Elijah and her love for her own family.

How could she possibly feign any amount of interest in ruining her own life?

As they topped a hill about a quarter mile from the sprawling manor where the Alpha family resided, Maeva elbowed her.

“Darling, please select a location. We’ve taken up enough of Charlotte’s time, and I’m sure she has other matters to attend to today.”

Charlotte turned to them with a soft shake of her head and took Mila’s hand into hers. “Nothing as important as becoming better acquainted with my future daughter in law.”

Mila swallowed hard. Thoughts of Jared’s suspicion rang in her mind as she gave a small smile and nodded. No doubt Charlotte would be reporting the details of today’s meeting back to her son. She needed to find the fortitude to play doe-eyed bride, even in the face of her objections to the marriage itself. Her safety — and more importantly, Elijah’s safety — depended on it.

“Besides,” Charlotte offered, patting Mila’s hand before releasing it and turning back to face the sprawling estate, “There’s nothing like a grand wedding to bring the pack together. I want this to be perfect. If the girl needs more time, I can be patient.”

The neigh of a horse distracted Mila from the direction where Charlotte was facing, and she turned to see a young woman riding toward them on a midnight-black horse with an impressive build. She seemed in complete control of the animal and reined him in just inches from them before sliding to the ground.

The young woman towered over Mila, clad in a black jacket and jodhpurs with highly polished black boots coming to her knees, she was an impressive figure herself. She looked familiar, especially when she removed the riding helmet to release a fall of golden-brown hair.

Charlotte gave the woman a distracted nod, but her eyes remained focused on the horse. “Is this the new stallion?”

“Yes, ma’am. He came in this morning. His handler said he handled the ferry ride extremely well.” As she spoke, the woman patted the neck of the anxiously prancing animal. “Settle, Achilles.” At her firm tone, he immediately quieted.

The Marceau women stood a few feet away while Charlotte examined the stallion. As she ran her hands down the horse’s neck and side, the handler took a couple of steps backward until she was standing beside Mila. With a stretch, she leaned toward Mila and whispered, “Elijah’s waiting in the stables.”

Before Mila could completely process the information, Charlotte spoke. “Alyra, please return the animal to the stables. We have some business to wrap up here.”

Alyra inclined her head. “Of course, ma’am.” With a graceful movement she slipped into the saddle and turned Achilles back in the direction from which she had come. Mila watched them ride away for a second before turning her attention to the mothers.

“Charlotte, I simply can’t decide between the lakeside lawn and the gardens. You have such an eye for these things. Would you mind taking my mother back to the gardens to see what she thinks?” Mila flashed a smile at the women, her mind searching for a way to meet Elijah without arousing suspicion. “I really need to excuse myself to freshen up. I’ll be back shortly, and we can make a final decision.”

To her relief, no one proffered an objection. They continued discussing the merits of both locations as she turned and hurried back in the direction of the house.

Once out of their sight, she veered away from the towering mansion to make her way across the clearing to the stables where her lover waited.