Adrian's POV
"You're not wrong," I finally said, my voice carefully neutral.
Jasper's eyes widened slightly.
"My family is exactly what you described. My bloodline carries those traits like a curse." I met his gaze steadily. "But you've missed something crucial."
"What?"
"Lina didn't fall in love with my family. She didn't fall for the Storm name or the Storm legacy." I took a step closer, letting Alpha power roll off me in waves. "She fell in love with *me*. Just me."
"You—"
"You're desperate, Lockwood. That's why you're tearing open old wounds, throwing my family's failures in my face." I smiled, cold and certain. "You wouldn't be this vicious if you weren't terrified."
His face flushed with anger.
"She loves me," I continued, my voice dropping to something a
