Chapter 64 

~Raphael ~ “The bond demands it, yet seeing you like this is not enough. I want to touch you,” I tell her, lifting my hand, but it slides right through her. “It’s impossible here,” she says. “Meet me. Meet me somewhere, just the two of us.” I’m desperate. I need her to say yes. “Let’s have a real conversation.” She shakes her head, but the word no will not leave her lips. “Please,” I plead. “You know me, Valeria. Even if you say you don’t trust me now, deep down, you know me. You know I love you, and you know I would never hurt you.” “But you did,” she mutters. “Not on purpose. It was a mistake.” She remains quiet, though her eyes speak what her lips will not. She wants to say yes. “Valeria, a few miles north of the castle, there are the ruins of an old pack. You can see the remains of a burned‑down pack house. Meet me there. Tomorrow night.” She slowly shakes her head. “I… don’t know. I shouldn’t.” “Please. Just you and me. I’ll come alone.” “I have to go,” she whispers. “I’ll be ther