Page 4 of Blood Marked

He’d killed three shifters in combat since then. Had taken down challengers twice his size. He’d survived wars, riots, prophecy-fueled madness. But none of that haunted him like the idea of some girl he didn’t know—who smelled like rain and steel and mystery—being bound to him by forces older than memory.

Mate bonds were sacred. They were rare. They were irreversible.

And if the Blood Mark chose her?

If the Prophecy was real?

Then Kael was already halfway buried.

The next morning came in mist and silver light.

Kael stood at the edge of the inner courtyard where the ceremonial stone lay—ancient, cracked, veined with old magic that pulsed like a heartbeat when the moons rose high. It was said to burn truth into flesh.

Tonight, he’d be standing across from Selene Morwen under the moons.

Tonight, the ceremony would decide if they were fate-bound.

He’d rather face a war blade.

His sister’s voice cut into the stillness behind him.

“She’s pretty.”

Kael didn’t turn. “So’s hemlock.”

Nyra stepped up beside him, short silver hair catching the morning light, amber eyes flickering with amusement.

“I saw how you looked at her.”

“I was evaluating a threat.”

“Sure,” Nyra said dryly. “With your jaw clenched like a damn jawtrap and your eyes all gold. Definitely not intrigued.”

Kael shot her a warning look.

Nyra shrugged. “She didn’t look scared. That was fun.”

“Sheshouldbe scared.”

“Or maybe she just doesn’t give a shit about our rules,” Nyra mused. “Which, you know, makes her kind of your type.”

Kael exhaled sharply and walked away, ignoring his sister’s low laugh behind him.

He made his way toward the outer wing of the guest chambers, the place they’d shoved the human girl for now. Guarded, of course, but still too close to the heart of the House.

He didn’t know why he stopped outside her door.

Didn’t know why he stood there, hand hovering near the carved wood, listening.

No sound.

No movement.

Just her scent. Soft and spiced and wrong in a way that made his teeth ache.

The wolf wanted closer.

Kael stepped back.

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