Betrayal's Cruelest Cut

I woke up screaming.

The pain hit me like a thousand knives piercing through my skin all at once. My mating mark burned white-hot, sending waves of electric agony throughout my entire body. It felt like someone was slowly peeling my skin off while simultaneously running electrical currents through my veins.

"Seraphina!" Adrian's voice broke through my screams. His hands were on my shoulders instantly, concern etched across his face. "What's happening?"

I couldn't speak. The pain was too overwhelming, too all-consuming. My back arched off the bed as another wave crashed over me, tears streaming down my cheeks. I'd felt discomfort from the mate bond before—a dull ache when Julian kissed Camille, a sharp pang when I saw them together—but nothing like this.

This was unbearable.

Adrian pulled me into his arms, and immediately, the pain lessened just enough for me to catch my breath. His touch seemed to counteract whatever was happening to me.