#Chapter 56

Aaron’s POV She needs me. The thought shakes me, threatening to pull me under. I stopped trying to shift five minutes ago. Caspian took off, out of the clearing, trying to sprint while I battled against him. When he got far enough that it would take too long to get back to Mae in my human form, I stopped fighting. Mae’s words rattle inside my mind: I’m here to ask for your help. She is not in danger, Caspian assures me. He’s been saying it over and over again, the desperation in Mae’s eyes as she reached a tentative hand toward us haunting me. She is overwhelmed and lonely – that is all. As if overwhelmed and lonely doesn’t matter. As if abandoning her in her time of need is acceptable. She had practically begged for me: please, I need my mate. Mate. She’s my mate. I can hardly process my relief that my mate bond with her is not one-sided, that we are still fated to be together. I don’t have space for ease or rejoicing, not when my mate needs me. I could fe