บททั้งหมดของ Marked by the Alpha: Blood Oath: บทที่ 131 - บทที่ 140

EliI’m drinking my tea on the steps as Silvercrest men march out in single-file efficiency to “stretch their legs,” which apparently means inspecting our fences like they might sprout diamonds if they stare long enough.Ronan stands to my left, pretending to study patrol notes with Jace. He’s actually tracking the bright blue of Kieran’s coat as it crosses the yard toward us.“Do not,” Ronan says without looking up.“Define ‘do not,’” I ask innocently.“Whatever you’re about to do,” Jace supplies, reading my soul with weary precision.Kieran stops three paces away and bows. “Good morning, Blackthorn.” Then to me, eyes bright as polished stone, “Good morning, Eli.”“Morning,” I say, absolutely neutral except for the curl of my mouth. “Sleep well? Was the mattress sufficiently stuffed with the dreams of the poor?”He laughs, sounding pleased. He keeps doing that. I’m beginning to think Kieran likes getting nicked. “I brought something for you to see.”Ronan’s head lifts a fraction. Mar

EliI know Ronan’s out here somewhere, stalking holes in the dark while he waits for my return.I find him pacing the strip of ground just beyond the porch. Hands knotted into fists, shoulders tight, gold eyes flaring whenever the wind moves wrong. He looks like law cut loose from its book.“You’re sulking,” I say sweetly, leaning against the porch railing like I’m just here for the night air. “All because another boy brought me presents?”His head whips around. The snarl that rips out of him would terrify anyone sane. Unfortunately for both of us, I’m not sane. I’m delighted.One stride, two, and I’m pinned to the post. His hand is at my jaw, tilting it up. His chest presses me flat. The bond hums so hard I feel it in my teeth.“You are mine,” he growls. “Always. Mine.”“Mm.” I pretend to think about it, eyes wide with mischief. “That sounded almost like insecurity, Alpha. Should I be worried?”His snarl deepens, his breath hot against my cheek. His fist slams against the post beside

EliI’m still hot and bothered. After the banquet Ronan pretended to be exhausted from all the ‘bullshit posturing’ and went to sleep immediately. But not before reminding me that I’m not allowed to pleasure myself.If feels like heat is live thing crawling under my skin, all the way down to the place I’m not allowed to touch. The porch rail might as well be tattooed into my ass. I keep remembering that he spanked me out there like a misbehaving child and then used my mouth until my eyes watered. I glide into the hall at Ronan’s shoulder for the council meeting, pulling my seat closer to his,When he lowers himself into his chair, I tilt my knee and let it brush his. An almost nothing. A static spark.He doesn’t react visibly, but I feel his muscles contracting ever so slightly.I rest my elbow on the table, feigning boredom, and nudge Ronan again. He doesn’t look at me, but his breath deepens. I shift closer, the backside of my thigh pressing the chair’s edge, and let the side of

EliThe yard hums. Sparring rings scuffed to hell, targets pocked and grooved, Jace’s bark ricocheting off beams like thrown nails. I strip off my shirt because I can and because Ronan is watching. Also because I’m still strung tight from last night’s denial and I need air on my skin or I’ll combust.Hazel clocks the move and gives me a side-eye so dry I nearly crack. “Subtle,” she says.“Subtlety is for cowards and tax collectors,” I reply, hands over my head, spine undulating as I stretch. A few wolves glance over and look away fast. Respectful, wary, pretending not to notice the Alpha’s mate behaving like temptation with a pulse.“Distance line,” Jace calls without looking at me. Which is a lie. Jace sees everything.I step to the boot-scuffed mark he cut into the ground and roll my shoulders. The new throwing board is still handsome, rings crisp and red, the center a target made for confession. “Watch your grip,” I say loudly to no one in particular. “You want it firm,” I curl m

KieranEli is driving me insane.He knows exactly what he’s doing. Leaning close when he corrects a stance, dragging his tongue over honey on his thumb with deliberate provocation, turning even insults into flirtation. “Compliments make me mean,” he told me once, and I think of it every time he smirks like a blade catching the sun.I can’t decide which is worse, the sharpness of his mouth or the fact that I know it’s all bullshit. He isn’t mine. He’ll never be mine. He flirts to needle his Alpha. I can’t even call him cruel, because he’s told me in so many words that he’d never leave Ronan Vale.I go back to my quarters every night aching. I stroke myself raw with the memory of his smirk, and it never helps. It’s not release I want. It’s him. And that’s the one thing I can’t have.I should go home. My chest burns with the thought of it. Silvercrest beds are warm. The halls echo with music. I could take my place at my father’s side and let this whole miserable obsession rot in the snow