Renzo’s POV

I woke up with a strange heaviness in my chest.

For a few seconds, I lay there staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet hum of the mansion waking up around me, the distant footsteps of servants, the low murmur of voices somewhere downstairs. Then it hit me.

The honeymoon trip

It is today.

My jaw clenched as I pushed myself upright, running a hand through my hair. Of all the things I wanted to do today, being forced onto a trip with Jade ranked very low on the list, not because I didn’t feel anything for her, but because I felt too much, and none of it made sense anymore.

Everything that happened yesterday under the rain replayed in my head like a scene I couldn’t pause.

The kiss.

The heat.

The argument that followed.

If anything, it only proved what I’d already known deep down, the only thing still binding us was the mate bond. That invisible, relentless pull that refused to loosen no matter how hard we tried to push against it.

Cause apart from the bond, Jade hated us.

No, despised us.

And honestly? I didn’t blame her.

She shouldn’t be here. She should be free, living a life untouched by my father’s control or our mistakes. Being trapped on a honeymoon with three men she could barely stand sounded like punishment, not romance. The thought of inconveniencing her like that sat wrong in my chest.

But wanting didn’t equal choice.

Father had made that very clear last night.

There would be no disobedience.

We all had to go for this trip even if we hate it.

I sighed and swung my legs off the bed, heading into the bathroom. The cold water helped clear my head a little, though it did nothing to quiet the low, restless pacing of my wolf beneath my skin. As I showered and dressed, my thoughts kept circling back to Jade.

She’d been drenched yesterday.

Standing in the rain with me for who knows how long.

A knot tightened in my stomach.

I shook it off and finished getting ready.

By the time I came downstairs, Ryder and Ronan were already in the living room, both dressed and ready, their bags neatly arranged near the door. Servants moved efficiently around them, carrying luggage outside toward the waiting cars.

Everything looked... official.

Too official.

Then Linda appeared at the top of the stairs, rolling her own luggage behind her.

I stopped short.

“What are you doing?” I asked before I could stop myself.

She smiled sweetly, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

“Going with you, of course.”

Ryder frowned. Ronan stiffened slightly.

“That wasn’t the plan,” I said carefully.

Linda’s expression softened into something almost apologetic. “Jade isn’t feeling too well this morning. She won’t be coming.”

The words hit harder than I expected.

My wolf stirred immediately, alert, uneasy.

Not feeling well?

My mind jumped straight back to the rain, the cold, the way her shoulders had trembled. Guilt clawed at my chest.

Did she catch a cold because of me?

I forced my face to remain neutral, schooling my expression into indifference. I wouldn’t give Linda, or anyone, any reason to suspect what I was feeling.

“And,” she continued gently, “instead of letting all of Alpha Ashford’s efforts go to waste, I thought it would be better if I went. At least the trip won’t be cancelled.”

I said nothing.

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Father.

He stepped into the living room, his sharp gaze immediately sweeping the space.

“What did you say is wrong with Jade?” he asked, his tone calm but edged with authority.

Linda repeated herself, voice smooth. “She’s not feeling too well, Alpha. Probably caught a cold.”

Father frowned.

“That can’t be true,” he said flatly. “I just came from Jade’s room. Her luggage is packed. She’ll be coming down shortly.”

Linda froze.

For just a fraction of a second, her composure seemed to have cracked.

My heart skipped.

Before anyone could say anything else, footsteps sounded from the staircase.

I looked up.

And forgot how to breathe.

Jade descended slowly, one hand gripping her luggage. She wore a simple tank top and bum shorts, casual and effortless, but nothing about her felt simple in that moment. Her hair fell in perfect curls around her face, framing glowing skin touched by minimal makeup.

She looked... unreal.

Like she wasn’t even trying.

And yet she had us on a chokehold.

Ryder’s mouth parted. Ronan went completely still.

And my wolf?

My wolf surged.

The mate bond flared so hard it felt like a physical pull, yanking me forward. Heat coiled low in my stomach, sharp and demanding. Want, raw, aching, undeniable, crashed into me all at once.

Mine.

The word echoed instinctively, possessive and fierce.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay rooted in place.

She lifted her gaze, and our eyes met.

The smallest smile curved her lips.

Like she was teasing me.

It nearly made me go crazy in that moment.

Linda recovered quickly, plastering on a smile. “Oh, Jade. I didn’t know you were feeling better.”

Jade’s eyes flicked to her, calm and composed. “Don’t worry, Linda. It was just a slight cold. I’m much better now.”

She shifted her bag and added, her voice smooth, deliberate, “And I’m excited to go on this trip, with just me and my mates. Alone.”

She stressed the last word.

Linda’s smile faltered.

Jade didn’t wait for a response. She walked past us, her presence commanding the room, every step confident. There was something different about her, something stronger, brighter.

And terrifying.

As she passed me, the mate bond thrummed violently, desire and lust twisting into something hot and restless. My wolf pressed against my control, urging me to claim her.... to fuck her.

I thought this trip was going to be boring and awkward.

But no.

This trip..

I exhaled slowly.

Just got a lot, lot more hotter.