Bound to the CEO

The forest was still burning when Rhea stepped over the remains of her mate.

Ash clung to her skin like a second curse, her fingers trembling as she crouched down beside the shattered body of Cassian. His wolf form had shifted back-naked, bloody, lifeless. The bond between them was severed the moment he died, and yet, her chest ached like she'd been split in two.

She didn't cry. The tears had dried up hours ago.

"Rhea." A voice behind her-urgent. "The elders said we need to move. They'll be back."

"They?" Her voice came out like ash-hoarse and hollow. "You mean him. Xander Blackthorn."

Silence.

Everyone knew the name. The Alpha of the Blackthorn Pack. Ruthless. Feared. The one whose warriors attacked under a blood moon, leaving her pack in ruin. Some claimed it was rogues. Rhea knew better.

She had seen him. Just before the fire. Just before Cassian died.

Golden eyes. Cold. Calculating. Watching.

She stood slowly, Cassian's pendant in her hand. It was the only thing not soaked in blood.

"I won't run," she said. "Not until I bury him."

The ground was too hard. She dug with her hands anyway.

By the time the moon reached its peak, she had buried her mate beneath a ring of black stones, just like he would've wanted. Her fingers bled, but she didn't care.

She pressed the pendant to her lips.