Chapter 11
740words
His fingers linger there a moment too long, and I find myself leaning into his touch before I can stop myself.
"It's done," he confirms, relief evident in his voice. "The bond is broken."
A cheer goes up from the pack. Thea pushes through to kneel beside me, tears streaming down her face as she hugs me tightly.
"You're free," she whispers.
Free. The word echoes in my mind as the pack celebrates around us. Free of Marcus, of his control, of the constant fear.
But as my eyes meet Kieran's over my sister's shoulder, I wonder why freedom suddenly feels like standing on the edge of a cliff. And why, despite everything I've been through, a part of me wants nothing more than to fall.
Kieran looks away first, rising to his feet with fluid grace. The moment breaks, and I tell myself I imagined the heat in his gaze, the way his hand lingered on my skin.
He was performing a ritual, nothing more. An alpha helping a wolf in need.
Yet as the pack surrounds me with congratulations, my skin still burns where he touched me, and my wolf paces restlessly within, wanting something I'm not ready to name.
I wake to silence. For a moment, I lie still, waiting for the familiar weight of Marcus's presence in my mind. Nothing. Just blessed emptiness where the bond once festered.
My hand rises to my neck, fingers tracing smooth skin where the mating bite should be. Gone. Really gone.
Sunlight streams through the window, warming my face. I feel lighter somehow, as if gravity has loosened its hold. My wolf stretches contentedly within me, reveling in her freedom.
A knock at the door breaks my reverie. "Come in," I call, sitting up.
Thea enters with a tray of food. "Thought you might be hungry. You slept through breakfast."
"What time is it?"
"Almost noon." She sets the tray on the bed. "How do you feel?"
"Different." I reach for the coffee she's brought. "Good different."
Thea sits beside me, studying my face. "The mark is completely gone. I've never seen that happen before."
I touch my neck again. "Kieran said it might not work fully because the moon wasn't full."
"Guess he was wrong." She smiles. "Or maybe he's stronger than he thought."
The memory of Kieran's hands on mine, his forehead pressed against mine, sends an unwelcome heat through my body. I focus on my coffee, hoping Thea doesn't notice.
"Where is everyone?" I ask, changing the subject. "The house seems quiet."
"Pack meeting. Discussing next steps." She hesitates. "Marcus's howl was heard across the territory when the bond broke. They think he might retaliate."
My stomach tightens. "Because of me."
"Because he's a tyrant who can't stand losing." Thea's voice hardens. "This isn't your fault."
I pick at the food she's brought, suddenly less hungry. "Has Kieran said anything? About what happens now?"
"Only that you're welcome to stay as long as you want." She gives me a sidelong glance. "Why? Are you thinking of leaving?"
"I don't know." I set down my fork. "I've been running for so long, I'm not sure I remember how to stay still."
"You could belong here," Thea says softly. "If you wanted."
Before I can respond, a commotion erupts downstairs—raised voices, hurried footsteps. Thea and I exchange a look before heading down to investigate.
In the great room, Kieran stands with several sentinels, their expressions grim. He looks up as we enter, his eyes finding mine immediately.
"What's happening?" I ask.
"Marcus crossed the border," Nora answers when Kieran doesn't. "Alone. He's requesting a meeting."
My blood runs cold. "With me?"
"With Kieran," she clarifies. "On neutral ground."
"It's a trap," I say automatically.
Kieran nods. "Probably. But refusing makes us look weak."
"Or smart," I counter.
A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "Sometimes they're the same thing." He turns to the sentinels. "Tell him I'll meet. The old bridge. One hour. He comes alone, so will I."
"Alpha—" Nora begins to protest.
"I'll be within howling distance of our patrols," Kieran cuts her off. "If anything happens, the pack will know."
The sentinels nod reluctantly and leave to deliver the message. Thea squeezes my arm before following them, leaving me alone with Kieran.
