Chapter 3

I felt like I was standing on a thin line. One wrong step, and I would fall.

I didn’t know if choosing Zephyr would make my life better… but I knew one thing for sure—

If Rowan found me again, I would drown in misery.

“I accept your condition.” I took a deep breath. “As long as you don’t hit me, I can endure living with you.”

My life was already a mess. I wasn’t expecting anyone to fix it.

“I will not hit you, Samantha,” Zephyr said firmly.

I looked away. “Of course, you can’t.”

Because of the blood oath.

But what if he didn’t take it?

I didn’t want to know. Some answers were worse than the fear.

“Let’s take the blood oath,” Zephyr said, pulling a folding knife from his pocket.

My eyes widened. “Now? Right here?”

Before I could even prepare myself, he sliced his palm open. Blood dripped from his hand.

“What are you waiting for?” he said. “Didn’t you say your ex-husband is looking for you right now?”

I clenched my fist, forcing myself to stay steady.

This was it.

My future depended on this moment.

“Alright… let’s do it.” I raised my hand, letting him cut my palm.

Pain shot through me, and I bit my lip.

Even after everything Rowan had done to me… I still wasn’t used to pain.

Pain always reminded me of one thing—

That I wasn’t strong enough.

“It won’t last long,” Zephyr said, pressing our palms together.

Our blood mixed.

My hand trembled as the pain intensified. It felt like my skin was burning the moment his blood touched mine.

“I, Zephyr Lloyd, swear on my blood and soul to never harm you, Samantha. No matter the anger, no matter the pain, my hand will never rise against you.”

His voice was low. Steady.

“I vow to shield you from all danger—even from myself. And I vow to be loyal to you.”

My eyes widened.

“By blood, this oath is eternal.”

That… wasn’t what I expected.

I only wanted him not to hurt me.

But he promised more.

Protection.

Loyalty.

Why?

“I, Samantha Cole, swear on my blood and soul to be loyal to you, Zephyr Lloyd.” My heart pounded, but I didn’t hesitate. “By blood, this oath is eternal.”

As the final words left my lips, Zephyr tightened his grip on my hand.

“It’s done,” he whispered. “No one can break this.”

Then—

He lifted my hand to his mouth.

And licked the wound.

I almost jumped.

What the hell was that?!

His tongue traced over my skin, tasting my blood like a predator savoring its prey.

His gray eyes locked onto mine.

And for a moment—

I couldn’t breathe.

“Shall we go somewhere else?” he asked, releasing my hand. The wound was already gone. “Though… I don’t mind staying in the car. It’s soundproof.”

Heat rushed to my face.

I knew exactly what he meant.

Marking me.

Renewing the bond.

And once an alpha marked his mate… there was no stopping what came after.

“I—No! Not in the car. And not in your house either.”

Not yet.

Not until Rowan’s mark was gone.

“A hotel, then,” Zephyr said.

○ ○

I was never the type to take initiative in bed.

But Zephyr…

Zephyr made me want to push him down and take him right then and there.

The moment we stepped into the hotel room, his lips crashed onto mine.

I froze.

For a second, I almost pulled away.

Five years.

Five years of being a loyal wife.

I had never imagined I’d be kissing my husband’s uncle.

But then—

His scent wrapped around me.

Strong. Overwhelming.

My legs weakened.

Without realizing it, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

My back hit the wall as his lips devoured mine like I was something sweet—something addictive.

Rowan had always been rough.

Selfish.

He only cared about himself.

But Zephyr…

God.

The way his hand slid under my shirt, moving past my bra, gripping my breast—

It sent heat rushing through my entire body.

His fingers brushed my nipple, and I gasped, breaking the kiss.

Pleasure hit me so suddenly, so intensely—

And yet, I wanted more.

“I don’t have time…” I murmured, my voice uneven. “Mark me… now… my husband… he can—”

He silenced me with another kiss.

Before I knew it, he had lifted me and carried me to the bed without breaking contact.

I pulled him down with me as I fell onto the mattress.

This time, I didn’t hesitate.

I opened my mouth, letting him deepen the kiss.

His tongue slid inside, claiming me completely.

He stripped my clothes away—my top, my skirt—

Until all that remained was my red panties against my pale skin.

When we finally pulled apart, a thin strand of saliva stretched between us.

My body burned.

I could already feel how wet I was.

“Mark me…” I whispered. “Now.”

I didn’t care how desperate I sounded.

It was his fault.

His scent.

His body.

Everything about him drove me insane.

He turned me around, positioning me so my back faced him.

His fingers traced along my neck, slow… deliberate.

I shivered.

My pulse raced under his touch.

He moved my hair aside.

I felt his lips brush against my skin—soft, teasing.

“Are you sure?” his deep voice murmured near my ear. “Once I mark you… there’s no going back.”

I nodded instantly.

“I want you to mark me, Zephyr.”

No hesitation.

No doubt.

He didn’t respond with words.

Instead, his tongue slid along my neck—right over the spot Rowan had marked me.

A shiver ran through my entire body.

Then—

His teeth sank into my skin.

I gritted my teeth, bracing for the pain.

But it wasn’t just pain.

Something else came with it.

Something raw.

Primal.

A hunger that made my body ache for him.

He licked the blood that seeped from the bite.

And just like that—

The pain disappeared.

The wound closed, leaving behind a fresh mark… one that completely covered Rowan’s.

“Zephyr…” I writhed against the bed, my thighs pressing together as heat pooled between them. “Please, fuck me.”