Page 78 of The Werewolf’s Wrong Mate

“And then Henry ran, and Tessa cried, and I chased the dog because apparently I am still the person who handles emergencies for people who make them.”

Ian looked as if each word had gone under his skin.

Good, let them sit there.

“Now I’m in a locked room being told I might permanently belong to a man who bit me because the alternative is dying or getting my family killed, although that is simply pretending for a moment that there is any choice in the matter.”

My eyes burned and I hated that most of all.

“I don’t care what your wolf thinks,” I said to Ian. “I don’t care what your laws say. I am not becoming someone else’s problem to manage.”

The mark pulsed hard and pain tore through my shoulder. I clenched my teeth, refusing to reach for him but the monitor screamed anyway.

Sava moved. Ian moved faster, then stopped when my eyes cut to him.

“May I touch your hand?”

I wanted to say no but my body was rude and wanted to live.

“Yes.”

His hand slid under mine and the pain eased enough for breath to return. I hated every second of relief.

Ronan watched us for a long moment before turning toward the door.

“We begin testing distance this afternoon,” he said.

Ian’s head snapped up. “No.”

Ronan looked back. The Alpha was back in his face, cold and absolute.

“Yes.”

“She is too weak.”

“That is why Sava will control it.”

“She almost seized during a conversation.”

“And if we wait, the mark may root deeper.”

Ian rose to his feet, taking his hand from mine without meaning to and the pain spiked.

Sava cursed. “Ian.”

He looked down at me and horror crossed his face. He put his hand back beneath mine and the pain dropped again.

Ronan’s voice went quieter. “That is why.”

Ian said nothing but he didn’t have to, the room had made Ronan’s argument for him. The mark was learning him. Or I was. Either way, it terrified all of us.

Sava looked at Ronan. “This afternoon, if her vitals support it. No sooner. ”

Chapter 11:

A Failure of Boundaries

Cassie