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.

voice followed immediately. "What's wrong?" Her

"I just remembered I have some pending files to review." The excuse felt weak, but

their gazes-Maddox, Blaire, my mother, and Austin-all lingering

of our guests, Alpha

his voice came through

I wasn't

than most, and I was certain he had sensed something was off. He always had a way of picking up on the things I tried to hide the reason he was my closest

craving solitude and 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 inactive lately a fact that didn't comfort me but instead deepened my unease. Men like the Dark Alpha weren't known for enjoying peace and harmony. They thrived in chaos, finding pleasure in the

I had issued alerts across all borders and to every pack in the North, the absence of any

reports and finding nothing 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 sky, but its light was muted, far less radiant than it

I could feel it in my bones. I only hoped,

need you at the eastern border immediately!' The voice of one of the guards was

*Selena*

once again to provoke a response. I refused to acknowledge her. When I needed

on, Selena, talk to me,' she pressed, her tone

have blocked

I didn't. I wanted her to feel the sting of being

it felt like.