-

consciousness. The scent of smoke, pine, and something distinctly wild flooded he

h bed in a room far too

, but the shadows danced across walls lined with ancient books and weapo

The dizziness came fir

asn't

ding. His broad frame was outlined in golden light, and his back was marked with sc

iercing.

he said flatly, li

oice raspy. "You

dead if

't ask

e dropped, low and firm. "

m. "What the hell d

closer. His presence filled the room li

hed you, I felt it. The bond. It's re

pine hit the headboard. "No. That's in

f you. You saw what I

ike you,"

"Then how do you

here he'd touched her. Her heart still beat faster whenever

d. "I'm not a wol

. But not human. Not fully. No one human can s

ame back in flashes-amber

were rogues?" s

a pack. Lawless. Bloodthirsty. And t

w wh

you're

lse sk

ce low. "Do you feel it, Elysia? That pu

der her skin. Every inch of her b

t terri

he whispered. "I d

u w

as tension in the way he stood, like he was holding himse

her throat.

ry. Obsidia

ur pack?" she said, stu

They wouldn't dare touch you.

g that like it'

s the only thing keepi

blin

his hair. "I didn't ask for this either

mplicated

r or not to speak. Then, quietly, "

ood went co

"Passed through my bloodline. The Alpha

ldn't b

houlder. "The stronger the

didn't you leave

ied. But the bond, it pulls. It punishes. I co

g the dizziness. "So you brought

otect you. To find a way to stop this. This cu

ike smoke. Elysia's heart

was the worst part. S

me part of her di

refully. "How long h

tle when I was twenty-one.

since

buried two mates. Both claimed by t

voice made her

en break a cur

-bound. I've tried everything-witches, shamans, sacri

r w

pow

and uncomfortable. Elysia sat back dow

he said. "Safe. A

I don't wan

"Then you walk out t

flin

u, Elysia. But I won't let

ond gets strong

estured between them. "Talking. L

we shouldn't be nea

physically hurt him. "The bond will p

rything she'd just heard. A cursed Alpha. A bloodline of death. And he

eak when a knock sh

ire body w

n with dark auburn hair stormed in, his expressio

come," the m

ward instantly.

again. "There's been a b

e darkened

w. But they l

ha

ked directly at Elysia. "A

stomach

as a growl. "W

s gaze di

girl... or th