Jessica/Tessa pov.
“He refused,” I said quietly.
Linda looked up from the scarf she was kneading, her hands pausing mid-motion. “I assume as much,” she murmured, not sounding surprised.
“I will reject him,” I said, forcing the words out before I could second-guess them. “Though I don’t believe he’s my mate, it’s still better to be safe than sorry.”
She frowned, setting the scarf down. “You’re forgetting something, Tessa. A mate bond is powerful. Even if you go through with the rejection, as long as he doesn’t accept it, the bond will still exist.”
“I know.”
Her gaze softened but didn’t waver. “Do you?”
I looked away, my jaw tightening.
“I’m sure you remember the pain you went through when you were still mated to Alpha Eric,” she said carefully.
My fingers curled against my knee, t
