Page 255 of Rise of the Reborn Beta

“Darian.”

“Selena and Rylan can raise the pups.”

“You better not.”

“Then stop dying.”

Arlene laughs, and I roll her beneath me, burying my face against her neck.

My wolf rumbles. Mine.

"Ours."

“We both get stronger,” she says.

“Together.”

I kiss her, and the mate bond pulses between us. My mouth moves along her jaw and down her neck until I reach the mating mark I thought I'd never see again.

My wolf surges forward. Mine.

"Ours."

I bite.

Arlene gasps as her teeth sink into my mating mark at the same time. The bond surges, and the familiar sparks explode.

I jerk against her as they race everywhere our bodies touch. Arlene pulls back, her green eyes wide, then presses her palm against my chest.

Another burst tears through me.

“Darian.”

“I felt it.”

She touches me again. The sparks hit harder. My wolf pushes forward. Stronger.

Sapphire blue light flashes across my skin. Heat burns near my mating mark. Arlene's eyes drop, and her fingers touch the burning spot. Blue light glows beneath them as a moon forms against my skin. A Roman numeral appears at its center. Then a sapphire blue gem.

My wolf goes still. The gem pulses, and he surges forward beneath my skin.

Changing.

My senses sharpen. Arlene's heartbeat pounds in my ears. Apple and cinnamon flood my lungs as I pull her tighter against me. Her fingers remain over the blue gem as the mate bond pulses between us.

Stronger. Different.

My wolf presses against me. Mine.

I bury my face against my mate's neck.

"Ours."

Arlene’s POV