A terrifying notion lanced through his mind. Had she left him? Had she bided her time until the right opportunity had arisen so she could escape? He’d forced her into this, after all, and— No. He immediately dismissed that thought for what it was—a symptom of panic. Tabitha was his lifemate. His trust in her was total, his love for her was true, and he knew that her love for him was real. She hadn’t run away.