Chapter 88

Author’s POV The words hung in the air, heavy and full of implication. “A mate who immediately judges and belittles me,” Callista replied bitterly. “Great. Just what I imagined.” “I'm not belittling you—” “You just did! You said I shouldn't be here, that my posture is wrong, that I'm inexperienced—” “Because it's a fact!” Alex cut in, his voice rising slightly. “I'm just telling the truth. If you can't accept it, maybe you're not ready to be on the frontier.” Callista stared at him with narrowed eyes, anger coursing through her veins. Her mate. Fate had given her this arrogant, rigid, judgmental mate as her life partner. “You know what?” she said coldly. “Maybe fate made a mistake. Because I can't imagine spending my life with someone as cold and boring as you.” Alex's expression hardened. "Boring? I'm realistic. I prioritize safety and discipline. If that makes me boring in your eyes, maybe you're just too reckless and immature to appreciate real responsibility.“ ”Reckless? Immature?“