Page 18 of Blood Marked

Kael shot her a look.

She grinned unapologetically.

“Just saying, if the wolf’s already that close to the surface, maybe stop pretending she’s just a political inconvenience.”

Kael didn’t respond. He couldn’t.

Because when Selene turned slightly, eyes sweeping the room, pausing when they met his—he felt it again. That low tug in his chest. The pull of something ancient, undeniable.

His wolf wanted her close.

Not because of the prophecy.

Not because of the Mark.

Because ofher.

Later, after the meeting disbanded in the usual haze of murmured plans and false promises, Kael found her waiting near the courtyard doors.

She didn’t look surprised to see him.

“Come to drag me back to my room?” she asked, voice cool.

He shook his head. “No leash. Not tonight.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Careful. I might start thinking you trust me.”

He started walking. She fell into step beside him.

The courtyard was quiet, the night air brisk, crisp with the scent of mountain snow. Twin moons hung low over the horizon, bathing the stone paths in silver.

Selene folded her arms, her voice more subdued now. “Why does he keep trying to talk to me?”

“Varyn?” Kael’s jaw tightened. “He likes things that don’t belong to him.”

She glanced sideways. “You’re not exactly subtle when you’re glaring, by the way.”

“I’m not trying to be.”

They walked in silence for a moment. Her steps slowed near the edge of the garden path.

Kael followed her gaze to the mist curling over the edges of the old forest beyond the wall.

“You still want out,” he said quietly.

Her voice came soft. “Every day.”

“You won’t survive if you go alone.”

“I’ll survive because I don’t plan to be anyone’s pawn again.”

Kael stepped closer.

“You’re not.”

She looked up at him. “Aren’t I?”

His fingers twitched at his side, the wolf pushing, wanting to reach for her. Just a brush. Just to ground her.

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