She didn't respond to his provocation and decided to keep silent.
Seeing this, his hand moved higher, tracing the curve of her hip.
"Nick, please," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Not tonight."
He pulled back slightly, his voice laced with frustration.
"Every time I try to get close, you push me away. I'm your mate, Iva. Your fated mate. Don't you remember what that means?"
Iva's throat tightened.
"Of course I remember," she said softly. "But I can't—it doesn't feel right. Not when I'm carrying someone else's pup. It feels wrong."
The words hung in the air, heavy and damning.
Nick was silent for a moment.
Then he pulled away from her completely, sitting up in the bed. His voice was cold when he finally spoke.
"It's not a pup," he said flatly. "It's a consequence. A m
