Chapter 62. You Little Traitor!

Caliana’s POV

I was stunned by his words, so stunned that for a moment I forgot how to breathe. My mind stalled, caught somewhere between disbelief and the slow, treacherous warmth spreading through my chest. Before I could fully comprehend what he had said—before I could gather my thoughts, build my walls, or summon my usual caution—Edward had already reached for me. His hands closed around mine, warm and steady, grounding me in a way that felt far too intimate.

“Well,” I began, forcing myself to focus, to sound rational instead of overwhelmed. “We are mates, so the emotions you feel are influenced by the bond. They’re… amplified. Forced, in a way. The only way for them to stop would be if you rejected me.” My voice was patient, almost clinical, as though explaining something simple might keep my own heart from betraying me.

But Edward didn’t