His Mark Of Shame, Her Awakening

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e, but a shard of ice lodging itself behind my eyes, a scream that wasn't sound. My body jolte

. His breathing was a slow, steady rhythm, the even rise and fall of his broad chest a stark contrast to the chaos erupting within m

nd devoid of warmth, echoed not i

eta. Return at once. Your father, Alpha

hadn't allowed myself to think, a place I had been banished from for t

uttural whine tearing from her throat. Father... Our Alpha...The words were a l

as I slipped from the bed. The sheets barely rustled. Kieran shifted, turning

slept peacefully. His silver hair, a perfect mirror of his father's, was a stark splash against the dark blue pillowcase.

sleep. "Mommy will be back soon," I whispered, the words a lie I desperately needed to believe.

ans and a worn black sweater. I grabbed my worn leather wallet and the keys to my o

m. I didn't need our bond to know. He was awake. I could feel the weight of his awareness

ar,potent scent of him-of thunderstorms and pine-clung to the air around the house, a constant reminder o

chilling and sharp as the winter

relationship. I closed my eyes, my own mental reply just as

ew in the sand between us. He was the Alpha of the Valerius Pack, and I was his

at was more painful than any argument we could have

ng to life with a protesting groan that seemed to rip throu

agony. A howl for the Alpha she was lo

only going back to say goodbye. One last look at the man who had cast me out

ed me to the bone, that fate, once its

lur of speeding lights and dark trees. It felt like I was trying to ou

I heard his voice, as clear as if he were sitting beside me, uttering

me. I swerved, tires screeching, and pulled onto the sh

did little to quench the fire in my chest. I glanced in the rearview mirror. A pale, haunted face stared back, ey

ver waited for me back home, I had to face it. I cranked the radio, letting a b

, I could smell him. My father. Leather and old books. The scent was fadin

lerator, rocketing toward the