Zara

"Alpha Kane knows Marcus gave you his mark reluctantly." Dad nodded. "He knows it wasn’t your fault."

He was wrong; it was my fault. I could fight him or try to resist. Some small part of me still desired Marcus, drawn to his appearance and the aura of danger.

My nineteenth birthday was more important than ever. Finding my mate was vital, and I desperately hoped the past wouldn’t repeat itself.

I took a few calming breaths, trying to calm the torment in my head. To establish a mental bond with someone, you need to clear your mind and think about them. Any additional thoughts could attract others in the pack to the bond.

Alpha Kane’s face flooded my mind. His husky scent combined with his unruly chocolate hair. His honey eyes burned brightly in my consciousness. I felt this bond forming and strengthening, as if it were tangible. All that remained was to speak.

"Alpha?" My voice sounded hesitant, almost timid. It was hard to bring myself to speak with the same confidence. I felt guilty for almost forgetting about Alpha Kane, but my mind was completely confused. How could I forget my strange feelings for him? My heart was torn apart. One part of it craved Marcus, while the other, along with Nova, called for Alpha Kane.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when Alpha Kane’s rough voice rang in my head. The sound of his voice drove away all obsessive thoughts of Marcus, making me feel almost dizzy.

"Zara," Alpha Kane said hoarsely and seriously. "You always get into trouble, and now I think I understand why."

Alpha Kane’s voice was clouded with sleep, making it deeper and huskier. Nova and I immediately liked the sound. His voice was like a soothing sedative, calming my frayed nerves and restless mind. A nervous laugh escaped my lips. "I know it might not seem like it, but it’s absolutely not my fault."

"Mm," Alpha Kane murmured slowly, and my heart pounded in response. "I’m not entirely sure I believe you, Zara. Tell me, why were you in Hayes last night?"

"Well then," I thought to myself. I wondered how Alpha Kane would really react.

"Sophia scented her mate." I frowned. "She wanted to go back and find him. I couldn’t let her go alone."

"Of all people, Zara," Alpha Kane sighed, and his rough voice sent a chill down my spine again. "Are you marked?"

"Probably marked." My voice was quiet, and I realized I’d never spoken to Alpha Kane like this before. I was vulnerable, and I hated the feeling. My vulnerability allowed Alpha Kane to crush me; all he had to do was say a few choice words.

"And what do you think about that, Zara?" Alpha Kane’s voice was even, and if I hadn’t known better, it would have sounded almost gentle. His kindness pierced me with something else—pure melancholy.

"I don’t know what I feel," I muttered honestly. "I think part of me doesn’t believe it."

Alpha Kane remained silent on the other end of the line, allowing me to pour out my suppressed emotions through the mental connection.

"I know one thing," I took a deep breath, my voice filling with strength and confidence. "That changes nothing. I am a werewolf first and foremost. I owe Marcus’s demons nothing, especially if they threaten my home."

A few more seconds passed in silence.

"Good girl," Alpha Kane commented in a low, husky voice. "So, here’s what’s going to happen." "I’ll be returning to pack territory this afternoon. Beta ends in just a few hours. Pack your things, return to the apartment, and give Beta Hunter a full description of Marcus, who marked you." Alpha Kane’s order was final, and I involuntarily shuddered at the authority in his voice.

I fell silent, letting Alpha Kane finish.

***

The apartment’s bathroom, as I suspected, was enormous and had become my favorite place in this whole story.

I jumped under the enormous shower. I didn’t really need it, but it teased me. The rainfall showerhead beckoned, begging me to try it. The mark on my neck stung, and the cool water from the shower soothed the pain, but only brought back thoughts of Marcus.

"I bet his cold lips will soothe the burn," that small part of my mind whispered. I jumped out of the shower, dried myself off, and put on shorts and a T-shirt.

Just as I was about to crawl into bed, there was a loud knock on the door.

"Come in," I shouted, throwing back the blankets.

And looking lustfully at the bed.

I felt Alpha Kane’s presence swirling around me even before I turned around. His raspy scent burned me most entirely. I turned and met his melted honey eyes, the urge to leap into his arms overwhelming me.

In a way, I was grateful for his presence. Alpha Kane banished all thoughts of Marcus. I didn’t care if it was because of my intense attraction to him or something more; I wanted Marcus out of my head.

"Zara," Alpha Kane breathed, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.

"Alpha," I muttered, a slow smirk spreading across my face. Alpha hadn’t gone to his pack first, but had come here to see me in his apartment. Alpha Kane looked incredible, even in his tired state. His hair was tousled, but that only made him sexier. His long-sleeved shirt was wrinkled and rolled up to his elbows, and his dark pants hugged the muscles of his thighs.

"I see you’ll be sleeping next door. I’ve designated the next room as my bedroom. I’m not a guest in my own apartment." I raised an eyebrow at Alpha Kane, looking wryly.

"We’ll see how you get into trouble when you’re just ten feet away," Alpha Kane muttered, his honey-colored eyes never leaving mine.

Our interesting conversation via mental link surfaced in my mind, as did the intense orgasm that followed. His mere presence spoke to my body, awakening it as if it had been dormant.

"I’m sure I can surprise you yet," I smirked, placing my hand on my hip.

Alpha Kane’s gaze slid down my body, warming my skin as it moved higher. They stopped when they reached the scarlet mark on my shoulder, visible beneath my thin tank top.

"So," Alpha Kane breathed, anger flaring in his eyes. "Tell me about this mark."