m

the bond thrumming at the base of my neck. Rayne's mark felt like a brand, burnin

re him with Reed, his hands on him, his lips pressing ag

oom. The water in the tiny stall ran cold-it always did-but I didn't care. I scrubbed myself furiously

cruel tether, making me hyper-aware of every beat of his heart, every breath he took, as if h

resence. I couldn't let anyone see it-not here, not now. I grabbed a scent patch from my drawer,

water turned cloudy with soap and the combined scents of Rayne and me. I

ing I could finally hang my clothes and get some pea

waiting

usual bright smile. "There you are!

way to cover the other evidence-Rayne's hickeys, the bites he'd p

ser, his finger lightly tracing one of the bruises on my collarbone. "Amber Queen, you sly little minx. Here I was, worried

back, but Reed w

ll these love bites! Goddess, girl, you got mauled. So, who's the lucky guy-or

," I said, my voice tight as I

He followed me, his laughter trailing

u never date, you never even look at anyone, and now you show up looking like

alk about it," I snapped,

as quickly. "Fine, fine. Keep your secrets. I'm just glad you final

ee

t dating or even finding your mate, and here you are, l

bond, the way his words twisted the knife

a forced smile. "What about you, huh? When are you planni

d startled, almost caught off guard by my question. Then his s

w how things are in this Pack. People here don't accept anything different. My dad? He'd

closet. Someone's going to figure it out eventually. Especially with how close you and Rayne are. Peopl

crept up his cheeks. "He doesn't sneak m

owers he sends? The little trinkets? Don't even get me started on

ne," he admitted. "Maybe he spoils me a little. But it's not l

t last, Reed? Secrets have a way of coming out, especially

mething raw and vulnerable. He lowered his gaze, s

He looked up, his eyes glassy with emotion. "But if anyone finds out, we're screwed. His dad would lose it. Rayne's supposed to be the

ed something in my chest, a sharp ache that was equal parts guilt and possessiveness. I wanted

dangerous growl in my mind. Rayne belon

eness bubbled under the surface, hot and insistent. My mate-our m

truth-to rip the bandage

hovering on the edge of m

Reed's eyes, the fear of

red about him too much

and the guilt along with it. "Reed..." I

igure it out," he said softly, as if tr

d my loyalty to Reed. But deep down, I knew it was

long before Reed found out that Rayne w

uld happen