Page 64 of Lycan’s Hunt

Chapter 28

• 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. I blink, disoriented as I feel the mark on my neck suddenly go numb. However, the pain in my chest still throbs along with my heartbeat. 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.”

“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.”

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.

“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. “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 sank my teeth into.

“I will mark you, and when I do, I’m changing you and I’m 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.”

“What do you mean?”

“Rhett marked you, and now you’ve marked me, your bond to him won’t be broken until I’ve changed you. I need to mark you and change you.”

I nod, the idea of him marking and changing me no longer scares me, not if it means I will be free of Rhett and free to be with him.

Soren gets up and 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 take the glass.

“Trust me, Aubrey,” Soren interrupts, his voice low and compelling. “My mark will 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.”

As the alcohol warms my insides, I feel a slight loosening of the ever-present tug in my chest—the one that always points me toward Rhett. It’s not enough to completely erase it. It’s never enough.

Soren leans in closer, his eyes dark and hungry. “Once I’ve changed you, I will have to remark you once you go into heat. Though it won’t hurt like the first time will.”

The intensity of his gaze is magnetic, drawing me in despite my reservations. Every part of me wants this—wants to belong to someone who hasn’t betrayed me, who promises to cherish me. Another part recoils at the thought of such an irrevocable step, though it won’t stop me from going through with it. He taps the glass, wanting me to finish it, and I do before accepting the third one. He watches me for a second before taking it from me and pulling me to my feet.

“I had planned to do this differently, so you’ll just have to forgive me.” He leads me to the bathroom, bringing the decanter and the glass.