Aidan.
I really couldn't bring myself to believe it—my own mate wasn't even the slightest bit moved by me. The realization stung with a sharp, cold clarity, leaving me to bitterly question what I had even been expecting in the first place. Hope, perhaps? A spark of recognition? Anything would have been better than this painful indifference.
It was painfully clear that Noah had completely clouded her mind. Every thought she had, every ounce of her focus, was entirely consumed by him. Right now, in this very moment, she wasn't even looking at me; she was asking about him, desperate for his whereabouts.
A desperate selfishness took hold of me. I couldn't bear the thought of her turning around and walking out of the room just yet. I craved more time—just a few precious moments alone with her, no matter how fragile or artificial they were. Because of that overwhelming desire, lying to her didn't even weigh on my conscience.
