Page 102 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

Silence stretched between them. He watched her process it, saw the moment true understanding hit.

“That’s…” She licked her kiss-swollen lips. “That’s a lot.”

“Aye.”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “And there’s no way to break it? The bond? Once it’s done?”

“Death is the only thing that breaks a mate bond.”

“Oh.” A frown formed lines between her brow. Then a look of determination stole over her features. “You said keeping me around keeps the madness at bay.”

“It does. But I cannot promise that will last forever.”

“It seems to be working well so far.” Her eyes brightened and she sucked in a breath. “What if the mate bond keeps you from going feral?”

He stopped. Blinked. “What?”

“What if that’s why I calm you down?” The words came faster now, urgent. “What if the bond—the fact that I’m your mate—is actually healing you? That’s why me being around keeps the madness away.”

For a moment, he couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. Because the thought—the possibility⁠—

No.

“That’s not how this works.” He shook his head. “This isn’t a fairytale, Rebecca. Mates don’t cure madness.”

“But you don’t know that for sure⁠—“

“It isn’t a risk I’m willing to take. Not with you.”

She flinched at his tone.

“I’m sorry,” he said, softer now. “But I won’t let you chain yourself to me based on a fantasy.”

“So what, then?” Her voice had gone quiet. “You get to be the one to decide? Because I’m already all in, Axel. If you didn’t want me chaining myself to you, you shouldn’t have made it so easy for me to fall in love with you.”

His heart practically burst in his chest.

“Yes, you heard me correctly. I love you, Axel. So fuck you and your stupid choice.”

He looked at her. At the stubborn tilt of her chin. The hope still lingering in her eyes despite his harsh words.

“Damn it, woman.” He crossed the room in three strides, grabbing her face and smashing their lips together. Kissing her hard enough to bruise. She resisted at first, then exhaled and relaxed into him. Their tongues and teeth clashed. He couldn’t get enough. Never enough.

There was no question as to why she’d been chosen for him. Not when she battled him so fiercely. When she pushed and pushed and pushed.

It’s like the universe knew exactly what he would need. Knew how to unmake him. Knew how to best him. It had put all of that into this one single person. His very own kryptonite.

When he pulled away, they were both breathing hard. His resolve was crumbling. Had been crumbling since the moment he’d met her.

“Break your curse first,” he heard himself say. “Get your magic back. See what that feels like—being whole again. Having all that power at your fingertips. And then tell me if you would still choose me. Still risk chaining yourself to a near feral wolf.”

“Axel—“

“That’s my final answer, Rebecca.” It was the only compromise he was willing to make.

She stared at him for a long moment, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Then she nodded once. “Fine.”

The tension riding his shoulders eased slightly. “Aye?”