Chapter 79

Arya

“I didn’t say anything,” I insist, and to my horror, tears are starting to brim my eyes. “I didn’t mean anything by it, Arthur. I’m just going to come see his parents and it would be a civil event.”

Arthur doesn’t say anything more. He just backs the car off the driveway and then we’re in the road.

“Arthur,” I call out to him, trying to touch his knee and look at him imploringly. “Please, talk to me. I want to know what you’re so angry about.”

“I’m not angry,” he mutters. “I’m afraid.”

I frown in confusion. “Afraid of what?”

“Afraid that the mate bond is not going to be severed,” he says, and his voice drops even lower. “Afraid that someday, you will realize that he’s what you want and you will leave me.”

His words hit me hard, almost like a direct punch in the chest. I look over at him but he’s already focused on the road. I clench my jaw, trying to hold back the tears long enough to talk, but my words start to fail me.

No sound comes out of my mouth. Before I knew it, we’re alr