Chapter 194
Aubrey
Agony like never before rushes through me as I sink my teeth into his neck, Rhett’s mark burns violently and I worry I will pass out from the pain before my mark embeds, gosh I hope it does. The thought of being tied to Rhett for the rest of my life terrifies me especially when my reason for wanting to live is clutching me like he needs me just as much.
Soren’s hand moves in my hair, his Calling rushing over me, easing the pain some and I blink, disoriented when I feel the mark on my neck suddenly go numb but the pain in my chest still throbs along with my heart beat. Pulling back, I find myself in Soren’s strong arms. My heart pounds against my ribcage. His glacier–blue eyes lock onto mine, filled with an intensity that both thrills and terrifies me as he wipes his blood from my lips.
“Aubrey,” he murmurs.
“I love you,” I blurt, praying to whatever goddess is listening that he can feel the truth of those words even if this bond is only one sided. What I would give to know he still feels the same. Soren nods, dropping his head against my shoulder, his breath shaky yet warm against my collarbone.
He rearranges me, setting me beside him on the bed and for a split second I think he doesn’t believe me.
“We need to talk about your bond with Rhett.”
Chapter 104
I suck in a sharp breath, my hand instinctively flying to the mark on my neck. The connection to my mate pulses beneath my fingertips,but the bond right now feels different, numb, like it’s me feeling his agony but not my own. “What’s there to talk about?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Soren’s large hand engulfs mine, pulling it away from the mark. “I can help you break it,” he says, his tone gentle but laced with determination. “You don’t have to be tied to him forever.”
I nod, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.
“Nothing is unbreakable,” Soren insists, his grip on my hand tightening. “Not even fated mate bonds.”
As he speaks, I search his face, noting the set of his jaw, the fire burning behind his eyes. There’s more here than just wanting to help me. He wants to claim me for himself, to erase every trace of Rhett from my being and I want nothing more than that. Even if it means dying. There is only one person I want to be tied to and he is the man I just my teeth into.
“I will mark you but when I do I am changing you and I am not waiting. I won’t risk you, so if you have any doubt you need to tell me now because once I mark you it won’t be reversible.”
My brows pull together at his words. “What do you mean?”
“Rhett marked you, and now you’ve marked me, but your bond to him won’t be broken until I’ve officially changed you. I need to mark you, and change you.” I nod, him marking me and changing me no longer scares me, not if it means I will be free of Rhett, and free to be with him.
Chapter 104
228 Vouchers
Soren gets up and I watch him as he moves to the small bar area by the windows. He reaches for a crystal decanter and returns grabbing a glass on the nearby bedside table, his movements fluid and purposeful. The rich, ruby liquid sloshes as he pours it into two ornate glasses.
“Here,” he says, pressing one into my hand. “This will help.”
I stare at the wine, its deep color reminding me of blood. “I don’t think drinking is a…”
He thrusts the glass toward me. “You’re going to want to drink it, I can’t use my Calling on you when I mark you-” my hands shake as I grab the glass.
“Trust me, Aubrey,” Soren interrupts, his voice low and
compelling. “My mark is going to hurt, my venom even more, I can’t mask you from it.”
Hesitantly, I bring the glass to my lips. The wine is sweet, with an underlying bitterness that makes me wince. Soren watches intently as I drink, his own glass untouched.
“More,” he urges, passing me his glass, and I stare up at him. He takes my now empty one, already refilling it. “You need to trust me, I know you’re scared.”
Chapter 195
