Chapter 169. I Tried Not To

Althea’s lips parted, trembling slightly. “I love you,” she repeated, her gaze locked with his. Her cheeks flushed as a shy smile curved her lips. Seeing the raw emotion in his eyes was almost too much, it was overwhelming in the best way.

Gavriel suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. Neither of them spoke; they simply stayed there, wrapped in silence, feeling each other’s emotions flow through their mate bond.

Then, gently, he drew back just enough to look at her. His hands came up to cup her face, his forehead resting against hers as his breathing deepened.

“I love you too,” he finally said, his voice low and unsteady, each word heavy with emotion. “I tried not to. I told myself it was only the bond, that it would fade with time but it never did. It only grew stronger every day.”

Althea’s breath caught. Her eyes shimmered as tears gathered. The sound of his voice, so sincere, so vulnerable, filled her chest with warmth. Hearing him say those words made h