Page 45 of Having the Dragon's Baby

“Shifters leave marks on their mates to claim them as their own. It allows for others to know who you belong to, but more importantly, it allows for deeper telepathic communication between us.”

“Wait, you mean I can speak to you telepathically now?” Instead of waiting for a reply, she focused her mind and asked him, What else about the mark?

He grinned. It will never fade. I’m sorry that I didn’t say anything sooner about it, but my inner dragon reacted now that we both have openly acknowledged being each other’s mates.

Does only the male leave the mark? she asked.

If you were a shifter, your instinct would have been to leave one on me as well. But don’t worry, you already have. It’s just not visible.

Rachel giggled. “How so?” she said out loud.

He kissed her lips, then lowered himself to kiss her belly.

“Your mark is on my heart, and that, my love, will never fade.”

NINETEEN

MARCUS

Marcus felt more powerful than ever after a night of lovemaking with his fated mate. He truly felt at ease with the world around him, moving fluidly as he and a collection of enforcers from the affected clans zeroed in on Orion’s base of operations.

Just before his death, Vincent had named Orion as being behind the shifter kidnappings, and Marcus finally had what he needed to begin his assault. They approached under the cape of night, blending in with masks donned, waiting for Marcus’s signal.

Marcus received the information that was required the night before, his hand clutched around the throat of the man who was supposed to have been the most loyal of them all. He watched as the hope for life drained out of his face, with Marcus narrowing his airway like a boa constrictor.

“Really, Vincent?” Marcus snarled, holding Vincent in the air. “When did you become so pathetic without me knowing about it?”

Vincent raked at Marcus’s arms, but the alpha felt nothing. The betrayal was painful and would be something he would have to unpack later. It didn’t matter right there in the darkness. He only needed information.

Vincent’s words bubbled up through his mouth, specs of blood beginning to dot his lips.

“Marcus … I … I…”

Marcus threw him against a nearby tree, smashing his skull against the wood with a violent wallop. His head made a hollow sound as it hit the ground, and Vincent winced as he struggled to find his breath.

Marcus stomped over to his former beta and kicked him directly in the gut. He felt the beta’s ribs split beneath him before falling flat on his back, rolling in whimpering agony. It was a hard blow, but it could have been harder. He didn’t want to injure him too much until he got what he needed.

“I don’t want your pleas, you piece of garbage,” Marcus said, pressing his bare foot against Vincent’s collarbone. “You’re going to tell me where this son of a bitch operates, where the prisoners are, and how many men he has on-site. Then, I’m going to kill you. Got it?”

A look of utter despair painted Vincent’s stare, but Marcus didn’t care. He crawled his foot up his collarbone and rested it against his throat.

He slowly pressed down harder when Vincent struggled, once again ripping at his flesh with his nails. There was a tiny chance that he could shift while he was being interrogated, but Marcus would see that it never came to that.

“Okay, okay!” Vincent implored, gasping for air.

Marcus let up, but only slightly.

“Spill it, fast,” he growled.

“Orion … has a headquarters by the river…” Vincent mumbled with a strangled grunt. “Prisoners … on the property … about ten … shifter guards.”

Marcus leaned forward, knowing that he didn’t have much time left. He glowered at the man whom he once considered his good friend. Hell, even the best friend of all. He felt his heart sink when he recalled all of their laughs, connection, and encouragement with Rachel. All had been false.

“What river, Vincent?” Marcus murmured in a low, intimidating voice.

“By … Aspen Road … near the bridge…”

Marcus watched him struggle to breathe, then planted his foot directly under his chin. Before placing his entire weight upon his former beta and friend, his viciousness softened.

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