CELINE

Their auras clashed like two elite males facing off.

Gabrielle and I exchanged glances, rolling our eyes.

"Men," she whispered in my mind, and I sighed, secretly amused by the tense situation.

"I accept you taking her as your mate, but the moment you hurt her, even if it costs me my life, I will take her away. She has never been a burden to me," my brother suddenly declared, and the atmosphere grew sharper.

"I'm grateful that you've taken care of her until now, and for that alone, you will always have my support whenever you need it. Besides, we are family now. Rest assured, to me, my mate is the most valuable and important thing in this world."

"I would never harm her," Zarek replied without hesitation, then lowered his gaze to look at me.

And just like that, I watched my brother's broad back disappear down the hall, Gabrielle whispering sweet nothings in his ear.

For some reason, now that we were alone, I started feeling nervous, my stomach fluttering with anticipation.

And i