robbing head. The unfamiliar room around me made the pain in my scalp even mor

er her relentless talk about me finding my mate, I had given in, seeking an escape. Now, the stingin

e hell

g pain, massaging my temples softly. Dragging myself out of the bed,

rown closet. I stopped, staring at myself in disbelief. I was wearing a black shirt that barely reached my upper

. That's when I noticed it, the mark on my neck. I gasped, my heart rac

been

ething horrific. But I was alone in the room. There was no s

I muttered to mysel

spiraling thoughts. Layla walked in, her

ned to you?

piece together fragments of the previous night, but nothin

e bed and then to my clothes discarded on the floor. "What

way. Layla grabbed my hand urgently. "We need to leave now, Diana. I

ut of the house and toward the car. Mark was slouched in the driver's seat, his head resting against the chair. His eyes opened lazi

eplaying the fragments of the night over and over. When we reached our small house tucked away ne

room, which was furnished only with the basics, a flat-screen TV an

nto the room and hanging up her coat. "You can't just say it's

y to react sharply. I took a deep breath, struggli

sat down on the opposite couch. "What? Ho

ntentional. I was trying to find the restroom when I ran into

yes. "I'm sorry. But did you get his numbe

g my gaze. "No, Layla. Wh

a pitiful look. "Do yo

ted back to the mark on my neck. I opened my mouth t

of my purse and

voice demanded on the other end. "It's

h

e there shortly," I stamm

raight into the bathroom. I took the quickest shower of my life, throwing

m in a hurry. "How do

ickly faded. "You're okay. And I'm really so

you're forgiven," I said, forcing a

was pounding, and I was sweating profusely by the time I reached the company b

sonal assistant," I

g with visible dis

, turning to leave, but

oing, asshole!" I sna

th hitch. I looked up, meeting his sharp blue eyes, now clouded with irritation. His thick brows knitted togethe

eep and commanding as his grip tightened around my wrist. I win

ncounter, and just walking away. But his reaction, so aggressi

my head. "But you were the one standing behind me." My voice was steady, but inside, the poundin

inally let go of my wrist. I stepped back, brushing o

vator. My heart raced, partly from the confrontation and partly fro

hurry. "Miss Nightclaw, put your tag on. The boss will be here a

ed for me to follow, her quick steps echoing down the corridor. Anxiety bub

furnishings. My eyes darted to another woman standing near the corner, nervously biting her lower

approaching footsteps filled the air. The

e he

in, exuding authority. He was accompanied by a stunning woma