5: Marke

AN

. But the sheer irony of it was too good to ignore. He'd rejected Amara in front of

cause h

't stand the thoug

o b

ng up the steady rhythm of Amara's heartbeat. It was calm-too calm. But beneath the surface,

g text on my phone, pupils narrowing. The muscles in he

e. Thought she could sta

was w

er years apart, Derek's presence still clung to her like a sickness. I

demanded, voice like a b

watched her carefully. "This was never going to stay a secret, Amara. You should have known better." I tilted my head slightly, le

ng against her skin. Power simmered beneat

tained rage. Her wolf wanted to fight. I could feel it clawing at her, just beneat

ays going to come looking for you. He can smell you in his dreams, Amara. You

vealing the barest hint of elongat

ght over!" she snapped, her voi

heartbeat. My fingers brushed her wrist, my claws barely retracted.

ed, watching the way he

Xander. No one does. And once my mother is safe-once I get my reve

was. That fire

red it,

lso knew

way?" My voice dropped lower, q

at I intend to stick around with your family." Her voice was laced with venom,

ing against the constraints of her human form. I could see it in the way her nail

k doesn't know what's coming." I leaned in slightly, letting my breath brush

gh. "I am not some beta to follow your commands, Xander." Her voice was steady

ed. "Because you d

hung heavy

hat

ut. "And I can't wait to have th

im light. Her wolf was closer to

hance," I murmured, watching her closely. "Mayb

e before she masked it with more anger. "And yet, here

ned. "E

doing this out of the goodness of your heart,

asn't

deserve

nd I sure as hell didn't make deals with rogu

cheekbone, the faint, swollen curve of her

till s

hat did some

ordered, voice quieter

didn'

n't

p, assessing stare, searching for weakn

uldn't

every d

and turned on her heel

smi

what yo

apartment. It was pathetic, really. A place barely hol

s the thing

fused t

ust doing thi

doing it

That, I cou

her room with a single worn duf

re taking?" I ask

. "This is al

elf-pity. Just co

hing off the w

Then she stepped forward, locking t

this place to the ground t

ts in a silver glow. The night air was thick w

of war settl

e was walking i

ay

o be more trouble than eit