Elisabeth's POV
The four words crashed into me like a physical blow, each syllable piercing through my chest with devastating clarity. Find my fated mate. They bounced around inside my skull, growing louder with each echo until I thought they might drive me mad.
A shuddering breath escaped Jefferson as he drew me onto his lap, his powerful arms creating a protective circle around me. Under normal circumstances, I would have melted into the warmth of his embrace, allowed myself to be consumed by the safety he offered. But these weren't normal circumstances.
The brutal truth sat between us like a blade: I wasn't his destined mate.
