A surge of energy coursed through me with his vow, a tingling warmth that started at my palm and spread through my body. It was unlike anything I hadever felt—power igniting every nerve ending, every fiber of my being.
I gasped, my eyes widening as the sensation intensified, threatening to overwhelm me.
Marcus’s grip on my hand tightened, his eyes burning into mine. “Stay with me,” he whispered, his voice cutting through the haze.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on his words, on the steady pressure of his hand in mine. Slowly, the overwhelming surge of energy ebbed, receding like a tide and leaving behind a sense of clarity.
The pack watched us, their eyes wide. The pact had worked. They had just witnessed the forging of our bond.
***
As the night wore on, the pack celebrated. Their voices raised in song and their bodies moved in dance. I stood at the mouth of the cave, the cool night air a welcome change from the heat inside.
My palm burned, the bandage around my hand proof of the pact I’d made. A reminder that I had betrayed everything I believed in for the last five years.
Footsteps sounded behind me, and I turned to see Marcus approaching. He had shed his jacket, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his muscular forearms. His eyes glowed in the dim light, reflecting the flickering torches from inside the cave.
“Hiding?” he asked, coming to stand beside me.
I shrugged, turning back to face the darkness. “Just needed a moment.”
He nodded. “It’s a lot to take in. My pack, the oath, all of it.”
I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself. “For so long, my life has been about avenging Toya, about hunting. And now, I’m supposed to fight beside you.”
Marcus stayed silent for a moment, his eyes now reflecting the moonlight. “I know this is hard, Joanna. But remember what we’re fighting for.”
I looked at him, his words resonating deep within me. His gaze softened, and he reached out, tucking a curl behind my ear. “We won’t fail.”
I leaned into his touch, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the magic ofthe blood bond and everything to do with him. “You have a lot of faith in me, Marcus Blackwood.”
He smiled, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw. “I have faith inus, Joanna Sullivan.”
We stood in silence, the sounds of festivity reverberating behind us. I could feel the tension, our unspoken words.
Damn him. It would be so easy to give in. Again.
Marcus seemed to sense my thoughts. He took a step back, putting some distance between us. “Let’s go back inside. We have five seconds before I desecrate the Den.”
I furrowed my brow. “How would you do that?”
He leaned in, his breath tickling my ear. “I think you know, Joanna. And I think you’d want it just as much as I do.”
I did. God, help me, I did. I never wanted a complication so badly in my life.
Marcus took my hand and led me back into the cave. The pack cheered as we entered, their voices synchronized in celebration.
We joined them in the dance, the tantalizing proximity of our bodies making me dizzy. But Marcus’s powerful arms held me as if he never wanted to let me go. It was a nonsensical daydream… but for a moment, as we swayed in time with the music, I lost myself in him.
“Shit.” Marcus froze, his head whipping toward the cave’s entrance.
A group of shapeshifters approached, their eyes narrowed, their lips curled. The music seemed to fade into the background, and the dancing slowed to a halt. Marcus’s grip on my hand tightened, his body tensing.
An older man stood at the forefront with a visible tension in his jaw. Behind him, a handful of werewolves followed, their faces mirroring his scorn. I found the two fleabags in the crowd, but their names were never important enough to remember. What was unforgettable though was the clear provocation in their eyes.
“Marcus,” the older werewolf began, his voice cold and formal. “Aword, please.”
Marcus didn’t flinch, his gaze steady as he met the elder’s stare. “Speak freely, Thomas. There’s no need for privacy among the pack.”
