His anger festered, deepening like an untreated wound.
Mak became colder, more unreachable. He had always been distant, but now, he was an iceberg, silent, cold, and full of fury.
When he spoke to her, it was through clenched teeth, his voice hoarse and controlled.
His body language screamed disdain.
He avoided eye contact, turning his back to her, folding his arms as if shielding himself from her presence. His muscles were locked, the tension in his jaw constant, his brows furrowed, and his lips pressed tight.
Whenever she walked into a room, he left immediately, his shoulders stiffening before he brushed past her, his eyes burning with unspoken messages.
Yet, his silence spoke louder than any words.
His anger simmered beneath the surface, never exploding, always present.
When he did look at her, it was with a glare so harsh it disgusted her. She was nothing to him, and his every glance reinforced that feeling.
At night, he retreated into his world, disappearing for hours in his office or elsewhere in the lodge, speaking to anyone but her.
It was as if an invisible wall had been built between them, and every attempt to breach it was met with more silence.
One night, she sat in her empty bedchamber, overcome with loneliness.
Then, she heard Mak’s footsteps outside her door, heading to bed.
She rushed to the door, overwhelmed with need and sadness, just as he turned away from her sight.
‘Mak,’ she called out, unable to stop herself.
He paused, turning to her, surprise and wariness in his eyes.
He studied her in the dim light, his gaze moving over her exposed form, lingering on her disheveled silk gown.
Saba swallowed hard, words she’d longed to say choking her.
Still, she pushed through the fear. ‘I’m so sorry. I should have told you about Shiloh before we wed. I should have given you the truth you deserved. Please forgive me.’
Mak huffed in disbelief, studying her for a long moment, arms crossed over his chest. His expression unreadable, he took a step closer, the tension between them palpable.
Saba’s heart raced as he came within touching distance.
She reached out, her fingers brushing over his chest, tracing the intricate ink.
Mak’s breath hitched as her hand moved up to his jaw, and the electric charge between them deepened.
The air crackled with unspoken need, a shared longing that seemed to pulse in time with their hearts.
His brow arched as need flickered in his eyes.
A rare, burning desire flashed across his face, and Saba felt the pull of it. It was raw, the same lust she’d seen in the eyes of men staring at her sisters, now directed at her.
Mak cupped her cheek, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. Saba leaned into his palm, feeling the heat of his touch.
His breath brushed over her mouth, and she closed the distance between them, drawn by the unrelenting pull.
With a growl, Mak kissed her, fierce and tender, a meeting of souls.
Time stood still as they lost themselves in the kiss, a fusion of two beings bound by duty and destiny.
