Marking Me

I bit my lip.

“But the pain will lessen, I vow it.” He tried to reassure. Expression sympathetic.

He’s worried I’ll fight him.

But as unbearable as this night had been. I knew it could’ve been worse at the hands of another man. I knew another would’ve broken my body. Left my spirit in tatters. And all with as little feeling as having spit on me.

Jaecar is different.

He was my friend in truth. I just didn’t understand. But I felt enlightened now. Different about everything. I wondered briefly if I’d have wanted another as my mate if I’d had the choice.

No. I always wanted him. I just didn’t think he’d want me.

And I was scared of the mating rituals. Terrified, actually.

Awful as he had been in what he’d done to me, Jaecar wanted to be my mate. He had protected me from this dark part of being a wolf for years. Sheltered me in my hut from the outside world until he could no longer.

I hated him for some of the things he’d done to me tonight.

But I cared for him.

When he guided me to sit s