“You’re not just protecting her, Prince,” he said. “You’re changing.”
“She’s the mate,” Jisoo added, voice quiet now. “We all saw it. That mark didn’t react for any of your others. Not even… her.”
He didn’t say her name. He didn’t have to.
Rheon’s pulse throbbed.
“This isn’t just about fate,” I said.
“No,” Jisoo murmured. “It’s about choice. And you’ve already made it.”
--------???--------
I felt her before I saw her.
The bond flared — like a sudden inhale across fire — and the glyphs at the safe house threshold hummed low.
Seori.
She stepped through the doorway like a curse I couldn’t shake. Hair loose. Blade at her hip. Eyes burning with questions.
“You lied to me,” she said without preamble.
I didn’t argue. She walked closer. Too close.
“What is this?” she asked, pressing her fingers to her collarbone — where the mark shimmered like gold stitched into skin.
“You know what it is,” I said quietly.
“No,” she snapped. “I want to hear you say it.”
I inhaled slowly. My fingers drifted to the edge of my shirt. And then — I lifted it. The scar sat over my heart. Twisted,ancient, glowing faintly beneath the skin like an ember that never died.
The first time I saw it was four centuries ago. But it only everreacted… when she appeared.
“The mate mark,” I said, my voice a rasp. “Your soul recognized mine before either of us were ready.”
She stared. Shaking her head.
“I’m not one of you,” she whispered.
I stepped closer.
“No. You’re not. But you’re not one ofthemeither.”
I wanted to reach for her. But I didn’t. Not yet.
“You think this is a curse,” I said. “But it’s the only truth either of us has left.”
“Then why does it feel like it’s killing me?” she asked, voice breaking.
“Because fate never asks for permission,” I whispered. “It justtakes.”
Seori
Minji’s secret
I’d always thought Minji was the safest person I knew. Not the strongest. Not the boldest. But steady — like stone. Sharp-eyed, always asking questions the rest of us were too afraid to voice.
