Delighted, Lucia laughed as Solomon swiftly led her away. The surroundings passed in a blur, not that Lucia cared this time. The sooner Solomon got them there, the better. Lucia’s heart pounded as Solomon pulled her through the open door and into the bedroom. Warmth swirled around her, and when she glanced over at the fireplace, she saw that it has been lit. Someone must have lit the fire. How utterly romantic!The covers had been turned down, and the lamps on the end tables were turned on low. Flames popped and hissed in the fireplace. As if drawn by an invisible line, Lucia walked toward the bed. She ran her hand across the finely made comforter. She would be waking up there from now on. She turned back at Solomon, who stood by the now-closed door, Lucia’s overnight bag by his feet.Lucia stood still, undecided what to do. Why was Solomon just standing there? Shyly she looked at Solomon, who stared back at her his purple eyes glowing slightly.Lucia’s eyes burned, but she blinked t

Then sadness crossed Lucia’s face.Solomon struggled to swallow. He lifted his hand and touched where Lucia’s scar should have been. “I’m so sorry.”Lucia shrugged, then dropped her eyes. “We knew it was a possibility your mark wouldn’t take.”Solomon nudged Lucia’s chin up. “It doesn’t matter. Yes, I wish there’d been something there, especially since that’s an important part of your rituals, but it changes nothing. I don’t need a mark upon you to prove to others you’re mine. But still, I am sorry. Know that I’ll wear yours proudly.” Solomon held his arms open.“I know. You don't have to tell me...” Lucia moved into Solomon’s arms. “There’s no point in me getting upset over it.”“If you want to get upset, get upset.”Lucia buried her head in Solomon’s shoulder. “No. I wanted it, true, but like you said… in the end, it doesn’t matter.” Lucia lifted her head, then turned around and picked up the soap. She turned back around to Solomon and waggled her eyebrows. “Now, how about I clean y

“Incredible,” Solomon whispered as he gently traced some of the lines. “But I have no idea how or why this appeared.”“I haven’t either, and it’s impossible to tattoo werewolves,” Lucia said, breathing hard as she watched Solomon trace the lines.“This can’t be a tattoo,” Solomon said, lowering his hand.“I don’t think it is either,” Lucia said, still unable to believe on what she saw on her arm. “I don’t know what it is.”Solomon bent and leaned closer. “Notice it starts right where I bit you last night.”“Yeah, I saw that.” Lucia gulped. Solomon was close enough that she could feel his breath on her skin. As usual, her body reacted. Shock and desire mixed together.“Do you…. Do you think it looks like a—?”“Like an abstract drawing of your kind?” Solomon straightened. “Yes.”“Holy… holy shit.” Little blinking lights danced across Lucia’s vision. She took a deep breath, then another until they disappeared. “You think this could possibly be something like a mating scar?”Solomon scra