Caelan's POV
Sleep did not come easily.
For someone who had lived for centuries, I had long mastered the art of controlling my mind, shutting out unnecessary thoughts, silencing emotions, and focusing only on what I wanted to.
But tonight, that control was fragile.
Every time I closed my eyes, the same words echoed in my mind.
"She has awakened."
"She belongs to someone else."
"Win her over as Caelan."
My mate.
After centuries of waiting… she was finally here.
And yet, she wasn't mine.
A sharp pain clenched in my chest at the thought. It wasn't physical, but it was real enough to make my breathing hitch.
The idea that another man standing where I should have been ignited something dark within me.
Possessiveness.
Something I rarely allowed myself to feel.
I sat up abruptly, running a hand through my hair.
"This won't work," I muttered to myself.
