til the mark

dusk, the words carved deep: *The pack gathe

th. "For tonight," he said, not meeting

after he left. He

d cheap. Not even the midnight blue from

r: Derek's claim changes not

the fabric. That cold ra

he'd endure it. Learn from it. And re

-

roaned under roasted meat, mead flowing freely. The pack cele

dress, Derek's cloak the only thing of value

half-b

s mate gets ser

her chin an

curiosity. They wanted to see wher

the right, arms crossed, face carved from stone. His eyes swept

t probably cost more than everything Lia had ever owne

bow, guiding her forward.

the kitchens. Wh

er started low, b

g skin. The plate before her reeked-gristle, fat, cartilage. Parts even dogs

ous. She forced herself to sit still, keep

cussing border patrols with an Elder. Aileen's laugh, bright and sharp. Jason agreeing with somet

n. Found their pla

in the corne

ileen

ne cup in hand, silk swishing. The

ia's table. Her smi

alf the hall. "You look so... comfortab

ing. Kept her

n circled like a predator. "Bloodlines matter. And

led through n

ed to a stage whisper. "Even if it's just as a blood bag. Tell me,

's chest pulsed hot. Her

perfume cloying. "I suppose that's wis

d. Her wine

ugh rough linen to the skin beneath. Cold. Humiliati

umsy. Did I ruin your lovely dress?" Her eyes glittered

ght. Others whispered. All watched,

her feet. The liquid had soaked through to her skin, col

leen's gaz

aid quietly. "So I'll ask o

atter? You're not going to do anythi

ure in the h

shift in the air, a pressure bui

was

head table. The next he was there, massive frame cutti

But something had changed in his eyes.

oice was quiet. Measured. But wrong s

t she held her ground. "Derek,

word came out har

raint. His fingers kept curling inward, and she caught the flash of claws exten

fying, until it cut through the smell of roasted meat and mead and wood smoke. Several

ed on Aileen, and there was something building in thos

ried from the head table, sharp

. Just stood there, every muscle coile

en made a

oward Lia. No

his fuss over

apped around wi

Drawing in deep breaths of air, an

skin. Her scent mixing with the alcohol, the hea

exact moment

allowing his eyes from the inside out. His chest heav

o the blue. Not a

rent now-rough, strained, barely contro

, about protecting her from punishment. She actually smi

wrist. Not hard enough to break-but ha

, and the sound wasn't qui

tumbled back, fear finally b

curled into fists so tight that blood welled up between his knuckles where claws had pier

w, burning with inhuman in

rantically beneath her skin. On the wine-soaked fabric cling

extended. Longer than they s

st made the nearest wolves scramble

Lia, and she could see the struggle in those gold eyes. Recognition warring with s

voice sharp with comma

m Derek, more roar than spe

s elbow, hauling her toward the door.

lms. His chest heaved with harsh breaths. Every muscle locked in place, and she understo

e afte

e hall with the focus of a predator wat

looked like terror. Like he was watching

d, real fear in her voice now.

twice. They fled, chairs scra

n't stop until they were deep in the fore

ned?" Lia gasped, her hea

t mixed with it, and he-" He stopped, running a hand through hi

ght. Agonized. Enra

irection o

oodless, like he was seeing something he'd h

arely controlled fear. "Don't move. Don't g

. Just ran back

aking. That warmth in her chest was going haywi

Desperate. Fixed on her like she was t

he was

alva

b

y Mark returned, breath

ow. "Morna and three other Elders talked him do

pened aft

y." He swallowed. "Derek broke his arm without even looking at him. Just... shoved him aside

e hurt

. She was screaming. It took four of us to pull him off. And even then..." He shook his head. "He wasn't seeing us

ha

into the forest. We found him two miles out, tearing into trees.

ach turned

The Elders saw everything. They're meeting r

eally rem

ified. Derek nearly killed two pack members in front of

t. Her scent mixing with it. Calling to

ck the door. Don't open it for anyone

Derek," Li

his express

-

Lia woke to s

Rhythmi

d to the

k was to her, shoulders heaving with each breath. As she watched, he raised both

Again

with each impact. The tree bark splint

m the shadows, ke

ly. "Brother. You need t

erek's voice was raw, barely rec

t hand came loose, falling away. His knuckles w

id, and his voice broke. "Just

e? Fa

to the window, brea

d bark. His whole body shook. One hand moved to his chest, pre

ays. Just fo

to stop. The beast will be

his fist in

. This... need.

he meant the beast

he moonlight Lia sa

ill gold-hadn't returned to blue. And his expression w

n. For a moment, their ey

e saw him mouth

ked into th

ng after him. His fa

himself. To no one. "Even if he makes it to the ceremony. Even

d away, leaving Lia

til the mark

ther found salvation or

ning to realize s