Page 70 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

"Yes."

The engine started. We pulled into traffic. I checked the rear view mirror—Liam still staring out, jaw tight. My wolf felt like it had lost half its life. Collapsed in my consciousness, whimpering.

Mate, my wolf moaned.

The car stopped. Liam bolted out. I got out, watched him go, told Marcus:

"Dig up everything on Elena from these years. Every detail."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

I walked inside—my base in the human district. Sat in the study, eyes closed. Half an hour later, my phone buzzed. Marcus's file.

I opened it and read line by line.

Elena Windsor. Owner of a fragrance shop, Windsor Fragrances, in Rivervale, Silverthread Kingdom. Five years in business, thriving, well-known in Silverthread Kingdom. Recently returned to Silver pine, planning a new store. Location secured on a commercial corner. Currently negotiating with suppliers.

My finger stopped on "negotiating."

She was staying in Silver pine.

My pulse quickened.

That meant I still had a chance.

I looked out the window. Sunset bleeding gold and red across the sky.

I won't give up, Elena.

Not this time.

Never again.

Chapter Twenty-One

Elena

It was dark by the time I got back to the rental house.

I carried Anya inside and set her on the couch. She'd fallen asleep in the car, her little head tucked against my shoulder, breathing steady. I laid her down gently, pulled a thin blanket over her, then sank onto the cushions beside her and leaned back against the couch. My eyes slid shut.

My wolf stirred inside me. It had been restless ever since the car ride, pacing back and forth, tail lashing with agitation.

I knew what it wanted.

It wanted Lucifer.

Sitting in his car earlier, the scent of cedar and amber had wrapped around me so thick I could barely breathe. In that moment, my wolf had gone wild—wanting to leap at him, to nuzzle against him, to be held. The bond's pull felt like it had never left, like it was still there—an invisible thread stretching from my chest straight to him. But that was an illusion. The bond had snapped five years ago when he declared I wasn't his Luna, and what I felt now was just my wolf.

Even after five years apart.

Even after he threw me out.

My wolf still craved him.

I didn't understand. I really didn't. Why, after he rejected me, after he hurt me, did my wolf still tremble at his scent? Still want to get closer?

And my body was reacting too.