Chloe’s pov
I sat alone on the low stone wall of the lower garden, my dark wool shawl wrapped tight around my shoulders.
At my feet, the soft green leaves of the blue mint plant rustled in the mountain breeze, filling the air with a sweet, familiar fragrance. Six years ago, I used to steep those exact leaves in a clay pot whenever the cold mountain rain made my joints ache. Nash had remembered. He had remembered, planted them, and watered them in silence while I was miles away in the southern valley.
My chest throbbed with a quiet, golden warmth, my Moon Goddess aura resting calm beneath my ribs.
A soft, heavy footstep sounded against the damp gravel path behind me.
I didn't turn around. I didn't need to. The electric pulse of my true mate bond flared awake in my blood, hot and electr
