Page 46 of Siren’s Secret

Smooth, unbruised. Four silvery pinpricks shone back at him. Scars.

His bite scars.

“Wave, precious.”

She didn’t stir. When Jarred reached over and trailed a finger over the bite mark on her throat, he felt an echo of it in his own mark. Claimed. She had accepted his claim.

Jarred was stunned. The feelings coursing through his body flashed from hot to cold and back. His jaguar wanted to break free, but there really wasn’t enough space to do so without at least waking Wave. He wasn’t quite ready for that yet.

What would she say when she realized? She had been sleeping the whole time, hadn’t she? He wasn’t sure how it was possible for her to accept the claim like that, but if, for some reason, she woke up wanting to break the mark, he would find a way.

“Wave, love, wake up.” He reached out and shook her shoulder gently.

“Mmh.”

“Love.” He rubbed her bite mark gently. “Wake up.”

Now she stirred slowly and blinked owlishly. “Wh-what?”

“Let me get you something to drink,” Jarred rushed to say, suddenly feeling a stab of uncertainty. Wave’s eyes flew wide.

“What was that?”

“What?”

“Th-that feeling. Fear? Did I hurt you?” Now she was scrambling off the bed and backing away.

“What? No! Wave, stop. Breathe!”

“I—no, I shouldn’t have—”

“It’s the bond,” Jarred rushed the words out. “You are feeling the claiming bond. I was afraid you’d want to break it. I—”

“Bond?” Now she stilled, eyes too wide and breathing too quickly, but no longer looking like she was seconds away from jumping from the plane.

“Yeah.” Jarred tried to calm his own breathing. “Claiming bond. You… accepted my claim in your sleep.”

Wave’s hand rose to her neck, and she massaged the spot, gasping. “It feels…”

“Different,” Jarred agreed.

“And the fear…” She let the question hang in the end.

“I think you felt the echo of my feelings. I noticed the claiming mark on your neck and… I was worried, no—fucking terrified, that you would want to break it when you woke up and realized…”

“I—I didn’t hurt you? You were afraid that… I wouldn’t want you?”

It took everything Jarred had to keep himself in check and nod. He didn’t want to pressure her, and he definitely didn’t want to distress her further.

“And now… what are you feeling now? I can’t…”

Jarred groaned and swallowed his pride and need to save face. “I’m still terrified of it. I want to plead my case and beg for a chance to show you I can be a worthy male to be claimed by. And I’m trying to keep all of that in check because I don’t want to worry you or pressure you.”

With every word he spoke, tension bled from Wave’s body until she was shaking. “I can feel it,” she whispered. “Not like with Risha. Like I can actually feel you. The intention and need to protect, to please and…”

“And I can feel the utter fear rolling off of you,” Jarred grunted.

When he spoke, Wave’s gaze rose to meet his and her emotions swirled so fast that he had no chance to keep up. Where she settled, though, was clear as a bell. Astonishment and wonder. Like she couldn’t believe something.