Aislinn’s heart seizes. She’s barely aware of Rafe’s joyful greeting and Diana moving everyone away to give them space. Love for Jarod rushes through her in an excruciating tide as he runs toward her and the memories flood in—reading poetry with him in the university archives, late into the night, his beautiful amber eyes intent on her, always set on her, making her feel like some bright star instead of the plain thing she is; his love for the same books, the same art; his gentleness; his quiet ways and deep insight.

His kiss.

That night they kissed for the first time, Aislinn was enveloped in a bliss she never knew was possible. He seemed to know, with his Lupine senses, exactly how she wanted to be touched, how far she wanted to go, always stopping when she needed to, even though she could sense his powerful desire. With Jarod, it was always so full of love.

And she realizes, as he closes the distance between them and her eyes blur with tears, the full extent of what’s been lost to her forever. She can see it in his ruddy health and powerful stride, in the feral light of his amber eyes...he’s been restored here, while she’s a ruined, defiled thing.

Aislinn’s anguish pulls her under, a heartbroken cry escaping her throat as Jarod sweeps her into his arms.

“Aislinn,” he breathes in an impassioned rasp as he kisses her temple, nuzzles her neck, and inhales her scent like it’s a lifeline, his breath shuddering through his chest. Aislinn’s legs buckle, a keening sob breaking free as she’s swamped, fully, by the devastating loss of him.

“Aislinn,” Jarod says again, alarm crossing his features as Aislinn crumples to her knees and he lowers himself to keep hold of her, his heartbreakingly beloved face wavy through her flood of agony.

“I love you so much,” Aislinn cries, weeping violently now, her chest heaving. “I’m sorry, Jarod. I’m so sorry.”

A vast confusion overtakes Jarod’s tear-streaked face. “Aislinn...why?”

“I should have left with you...when you first asked me to...” she chokes out, barely able to breathe. “They forced me...he forced me...”

“I know,” Jarod says, pain and outrage streaking across his face. “I heard what happened, just a few days back.”

“I was a fool,” she weeps, devastated. “I loved you then and... I should have gone with you. I’m sorry... I’ve destroyed everything...”

“Aislinn, wait,” Jarod insists, eyes wild with emotion. “You haven’t destroyed anything.”

She holds up her shaking hands and shows him the horrible fastlines, like a spider’s web all over her hands. And wrists. A prison cage forever keeping her from him. Proof of her defilement.

“I’m ruined,” Aislinn admits, low and final.

A growl rises from Jarod’s throat as he tightens his hold on her. “You’re not... Aislinn...”