k's

ist was. She felt even thinner than I had expected. Her body was little more than skin stretched over

ght sick

s. She deserved to be strong, confident, and powerful. Instead, they had dama

st. Fear alone hadn't caused that reaction. An inju

on't care about the ridiculous rules Toren forced into your head. In this

remained fi

meone h

N

as a lie, an

nt would make me believe her. One strand of blac

taught her to protect herself by staying silent. Eventually, I would find a way pas

what you're thinking. Once I give you my mark

going to

der, though I hadn't th

simply. "I inte

it. Her pink lips opened slightly, and she stared at m

had repeatedly asked whether I was certain about choosing her as my intended. Yet I had never questioned the decision. Her scent was unusual,

ours with a fierce impatience, even though he hadn't clearly expressed that

because you planned to

. Pain crossed her face in a quick grimace, but she immediately hid i

y mate. He'd also know that if he, his idiotic mate, or anyone else in his pack harms you again, his pack will become

n disbelief. "Why would a man like yo

rowled, breaking

g her body. A dark red patch had started spreading ov

e?" I asked at once

put any pre

ed the stain as she tr

at kept opening whenever I hit it against s

e hell could anyone forget

through my mind. "She's been with us for le

incts were every bi

her abilities, she might have lost the power to heal like an ordinary she-wolf. So

me se

sn't serious,

again had already

e. If you wouldn't show me the wound,

fore she nervously s

somewhere with

nted pr

ered much to me. What w

my eyes properly. In her mind, looking directly a

uld work," Aro

to say that," I

my mind, he made his annoyance so clear tha

ructed, motioning t

blood became stronger with each step she took. Whatever hid beneath

hum filled the room while the blinds descended, cutting off the

buttons near the blood-soaked section of her dress. However, she kept the rest of he

led the stained

er skin. Its swollen edges had turned an angry

t wasn't serious

say tha

and her unsteady hands hu

e it

. During that brief moment, another deep b

everyth

no room for

s while my fingers quickly open

hardly any better. Yet neither piece of clothing kept my attention. Bruises covered her pale body in over

beneath her skin. Every r

back. Scars and bruises showed the cruel results of beating after beating. One disturbing detail immediately stood ou

planation m

nothing was wrong. Visitors weren't supposed to notice. Most of all, they had made certain I

ogether and held it against her thin frame as th

eeded to ex

t wasn

face stopped her bef

eventually," she added in a

sked between clenched teeth while poi

opped towar

ya hurt

ined her onl

lways following Toren? Did

quietly nodded. One hand rose to wipe away a tea

ne else h

pack," sh

them all," Ar

to wait until I h

ause they believed you

lent nod a

seconds, I kept

you were the one

ime since entering my home. Confusion pulled her eyebr

use of the A