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"She flinched."
The thought carved itself into my skull, serrated and relentless. Iris' eyes—wide, unblinking, terrified—flashed behind my eyelids. The way she'd recoiled from my bloodied hand, as if I were the monster who tried to attack her. The ache in my chest tightened, a sharp pain around what was left of my heart.
Our marriage was just an agreement I proposed but I'd clung to the hope that she might accept me for who I truly am. Now? Now I was just the shadow that made her tremble.
Damien's guttural snarl ripped me back.
He lunged, fangs bared, desperation making him sloppy. I sidestepped, cold fury crystallizing in my veins. The memory of Iris' recoil seared hotter than silver.
My wolf thrashed inside me, claws raking against my ribs, demanding release. Protect. Claim. Destroy. I gritted my teeth, sweat dripping down my spine as I fought to shove the beast back into its cage.