“It bruised pretty bad.” Martin’s fingers brush my shoulder. “It looks like it bled under your skin.” I glance down and see the blue bruises along my shoulder. They’re deep and blooming. I hadn’t even noticed them. “Does it hurt?”
I bite the inside of my cheek as I nod.
“It looks fucking awful.” Martin leans in, pushing into my space.
I think about telling him how savage Brayden was when he pinned me down without warning, then sank his fangs into my neck. It felt like he was trying to tear me apart. I was so scared, and it hurt so much—for a second, I thought he was going to kill me.
But I don’t say any of that.
The fact is, all of this is my fault—my delayed heat, my body’s refusal to create a mental bond with my pack alpha, and now Douglas leaving.
Both Brayden and Martin have been so angry since our beta left us, and I don’t blame them. They were a perfect pack before I came along.
“This bite looks exceptionally deep,” Martin says, tipping my head up so he can get a better look. The motion makes my raw skin pull, then pinch, and more blood trickles over my collarbone. “This might be his deepest bite yet,” he says, almost thoughtful. Then his gaze snaps back to mine. There’s a flicker of hope in his expression. “Do you feel Brayden at all? A whisper of his emotions? Or…” He trails off, shaking his head. “Anything at all?”
I drop my head, shame and fear squeezing my ribcage. “No.”
Like the flick of a switch, Martin’s whole demeanor changes. A rough sound of disappointment cuts from the alpha’s throat, making me jump. Then he steps back, balling his fists up tight. His rushed movements are crazy fast. Almost violent.
This is how both alphas have been lately—their anger rising without any warning. They go from zero to furious in seconds.
And I understand why.
Bonding with an omega is supposed to calm alphas. Anchor them. But there’s no tether in our pack. We’re simply four people adrift in a house that feels more like a prison with each passing day. And the longer we stay unbonded, the worse it gets.
If I was a good omega, my alphas would be calm and settled, finding comfort in my presence, but all I’ve brought them is heartache.
“We can’t do this much longer, Skyla.” Martin grits his teeth as he channels his fingers through his already unkempt hair. He looks unhinged. “We have to figure something out. There has to be a way to fix you.”
I curl my shoulders inward, staring at his big, black boots. “I…um…,” I mumble, my words barely audible. “I’m sorry.”
“You know,” Martin suddenly closes the space between us once again, his voice rising like a wonderful idea popped into his head, “Brayden hasn’t tried this side in a few months.” He cups the other side of my neck, where our pack alpha first bit me. The mark is completely healed. A thin silver scar. “Maybe he should try here again.” His thumb presses against my skin as his gaze falls to my neck. “Or maybe, I could…”
He doesn’t finish his thought, but he doesn’t have to.
I see it in his eyes. He wants to bite me. To force a bond of his own. He’s wanted to for months now, but Brayden won’t allow it. Not until I connect with the pack alpha first.
But it won’t work.
I know it won’t.
Something inside me is broken.
"I’m sure Brayden will try there again," I whisper, dropping my gaze to the floor. Shame curls tight in my gut like barbed wire. “Maybe it’ll work this time.”
“But what if—” Martin’s voice lifts, louder than before, and faster like he’s trying to talk himself into something. I stiffen as his hands grip my upper arms and he jerks me closer, making my breath catch. “It’s possible that Brayden is the problem.” His eyes flash with excitement in the low light. Then his voice drops, speaking to himself more than me. “And the wound is still open.”
I shake my head, trying to find the words to eithertalk him out of this or to somehow change the subject, but nothing comes to me.
“What if...” Martin leans down, his face inches from mine. His dark eyes slip over my face, then down to my neck. “What if I try marking youoverthe fresh bite?” He licks his lips. “Brayden will never know.”
Shock rips through me, and my mouth goes dry. “No,” I whisper, but it comes out thin, like my voice doesn’t belong to me. “You can’t.” My hands begin to shake and terror takes over. “It’ll kill me.” Tears blur my vision. “Please don’t. I can’t?—”
“Calm down, omega,” Martin says flatly, annoyed. “I know it’s unpleasant for omegas to be bitten outside of their heat, but it’s notthatbad.”
Unpleasant?
It’sagony.
