Let Me Go, My Mafia Husband by Paga Slayer

Chapter 606 Offering Rituals

*Zander*

"Zander, try this-I made it for you," Anne said as she placed a plate of roasted beef in front of me. "Thank you, Anne, but you don't have to go through the trouble," I murmured, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"I know it's your favorite," she said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. For a moment, I was struck by her beauty, but there was something about her-something familiar. It was as if she reminded me of someone. I lowered my head, trying to force the memory to surface, but it eluded me.

'Zander, I don't feel like she's our mate. Don't marry her,' Lyon's voice echoed in my mind, filled with

unease.

'I know, Lyon,' I replied silently, my gaze shifting to Austin, who was grinning as he played nearby. 'We don't feel the bond with her, but look at Austin,' I added, watching my son as he laughed. 'He's happy whenever he's with Anne.'

"That's true-he does look happy," Lyon acknowledged, though reluctance lingered in his voice. "But something about this still doesn't feel right."

I responded with a noncommittal hum, slicing a small piece of the roasted beef and placing it in my mouth. It was, undeniably, my favorite dish-or at least it used to be. Yet, as I chewed, I realized something unsettling. The flavor, while well-prepared, didn't stir the usual satisfaction. In fact, it felt almost alien, as though the joy I once associated with it had vanished.

Why was this? Why couldn't I remember why it was my favorite in the first place? And more disturbingly, why did I find it so unappetizing now, despite Anne's effort?

"I'm full," I said abruptly, standing up and pushing my plate back with more force than intended.

followed immediately. "What's wrong?" Her

pending files to review." The excuse

could feel the weight of their gazes-Maddox, Blaire, my mother, and Austin-all lingering on my

remained silent in front of our guests, Alpha Albert

through our mindlink. 'Are

further. I

a way of picking up on the things I tried to hide the reason

silence. I needed to think. Settling into my chair, I opened my laptop, diving into the reports on the Dark Alpha. Strangely, he had been

and to every pack in the North, the absence of any activity from him felt ominous, not reassuring. My instincts screamed that this

new, I shut the laptop with a sigh of frustration. Rising from my desk, I walked to the window, sliding the curtain aside. The moon hung in the

feel it in my bones. I only hoped, for once, that

a mindlink broke through my thoughts, sharp and urgent. 'Alpha, we need you at the eastern border immediately!' The voice of one of the guards was strained, tinged with

*Selena*

you, Selena?' Arena's voice echoed in my mind, attempting once again to provoke a response. I refused to acknowledge her. When I needed

me,' she pressed,

have

I wanted her to feel the sting of being ignored by

what it felt