His head felt like it would split in two, and his shirt was soaked with cold sweat.

"I don't want to, I don't want to! This is nothing but your selfish decisions, but I've always wanted my mate; I want her by my side, and because you won't let me near her, not even her she-wolf recognizes me!"

"I'm sorry, Cintra, but I don't want her. I won't give in," Elias answered, firm in his decision.

"You'll regret it, Elijah Cohen, a lot. When that happens, don't come to me for help, and until you recognize my mate, forget I exist."

Elijah held his hands to his chest in pain. He couldn't believe that Cintra had closed in on him, that he had cut himself off from him.

It was as if he felt a chaotic emptiness inside.

"You're just pissed off right now. When you get over your anger, I'll be here," he told him, knowing he heard him, but Cintra didn't even answer.

It was the Cold War, but Elijah would not back down.

The taste of Ophelia's gentleness proved only one thing to him.

If he allowed himself