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The room would warm up quickly. It was beautiful here, the whole cabin was—a slice of heaven to host what had, for the longest time, been our pack’s hell. But I’d never stopped appreciating it. I think I’d come from somewhere that had taught me things like this were worth never getting used to.
The bed was set before the far wall that was barely a wall at all. Timber beams held together great windows that arched over the bed. The clouds had cleared and the stars twinkled down from above.
I wanted her to see them, when she was ready to see beauty again.
I sat on the bed and shifted behind her. She tried to turn, but I placed my hands on her shoulders. Then I retrieved a belt from my drawer and drew her arms behind her back.
She flinched, trying to turn again, her body tense now.
“Still,” I murmured.
She listened, not fighting me as I secured her hands behind her and made sure the buckle was positioned at the back so it wouldn’t dig into her skin.
Whywasshe listening with such ease?
If anything, I thought her scent was less afraid than before.
“What are you doing?” she asked, voice quiet. Her eyes were wide, golden orbs as I returned to stand before her.
“Showing you the truth.”
She might listen to what I said now, but if I didn’t restrain her, she’d fight me.
There was a metal poker in the fireplace. One with ridges that Umbra used to favour, to make the payments on his skin before we moved out of the cabin.
I shifted her so she was laying back against the pillows, tear-tracked face still a mask of emptiness as I leaned close, pressing my lips to her neck.
“Nothing has changed since the day I met you.” I’d say it until she understood. “You are mine, Shatter. Every mark they left on your body, they’re mine, too.”
NINETEEN
SHATTER
Shock blistered through every other emotion as Dusk shifted closer, lips caressing the first bite.
The one at my shoulder.
Eric’s.
Then he drew back and ran his lips along the next.
Gareth’s.
There was one upon my breast.
Flynn’s.
I’d been frozen as he’d given me that, the lurking promise of a dark bond chilling me to my bones.
Over and over, Dusk kissed the foul marks my mates had left. It took too long. There were far too many. He pressed his lips to each, and the memories threatened, each blow was duller than the last. His grip curled around my thigh and waist, holding me in place, and yellow eyes pinned me every time he drew back.
Absolute and sure.
Safe.
Eric had sworn he couldn’t, yet somehow, Dusk still wanted me. He could look at me. He could kiss me.
I didn’t understand.
