Hidden behind the thick trunk of a tree, Radulf stood silently, listening to every word exchanged between Melissa and Gregor. His sharp wolf senses caught even the faintest tremor in her voice.
'Melissa will never trust us,' Black, his wolf, growled in the back of his mind, his voice laced with both anger and sorrow. 'You've hurt her too much. Stop making her cry. Pamper her with care, shower her with gifts, and show her she matters,' he urged.
Radulf remained still as he patiently waited for Melissa's response to Gregor. Would she accept Gregor's offer? Would she nod and allow him to free her from this marriage, from him? She might—after all, he had given her more reasons to despise him than to stay.
But then Melissa's voice broke through his spiraling thoughts.
"Gregor, thank you," she said softly, "but you don't need to do anything. I promise I won't take any such step again in the future." She gently pulled away from Gregor.
