She blamed him for causing Olivia to be hurt even more deeply. The accusation hung heavy in the air.
Rebecca asked her brother to leave with Ethan. "Please, just go. We need to be alone with Olivia right now."
Her voice was firm but not unkind. "We'll stay with her through this painful night."
Outside the room, I pushed Layla's hand away as soon as the door closed. My wolf recoiled from her touch now that we were away from Olivia's sight.
The contact felt wrong, like betraying everything sacred about mate bonds. My skin crawled where she had touched me.
Layla shrugged, unconcerned by my rejection as she understood her role in our arrangement. "You're quite the actor, Connor. Very convincing performance."
Her professional detachment was both helpful and disturbing. She treated t
