The black mark was shaped like an oval and made up of spirals done in dark black ink. A thumb print. His thumb print. The skin around it was slightly red, but it was fading, so that soon there was no sign that the tattoo was new.
Almost too afraid to check, Jensen forced himself to glance down at his own body. A smaller oval shape was positioned in an identical place. The mark was only half the size of his actual thumb when he placed it against it and a shiver raked down his spine.
He’d been alive for a long time now, and at one point he’d wanted this mark more than anything else. When Jericho’s had appeared, Jensen had felt the jealousy. Hadn’t he wished on multiple occasions that Kiley had ended up his mate instead of his brothers?
But those thoughts had dwindled after his father’s death. There’d just been too much going on, too much at stake for him to worry about his loneliness. He could barely take care of his pack, the only reason he’d come this far because of the Sinclair’s. It hadn’t been fair for him to think of taking on someone else. He’d bedded she wolves, sure, but he’d never thought that they would end up getting branded.
“ I don’t even know your name,” Olivia whispered, snapping him out of his head and reminding him she was there.
Most of the panic had gone from her eyes. If possible, she looked almost…okay with this turn of events despite her statement. She was watching him with a calm indifference that he couldn’t figure out.
He was terrified.
Then it hit him. He’d just mated with her, and she didn’t even know who he was. She was tied to him for life now. One didn’t get to choose their mate. They could walk away if they were cruel enough, and strong enough, to do so, but it was very difficult. They felt a pull to one another, the need to near each other very similar to the bodies need to take in air.
He hadn’t planned on this happening when he’d withheld his name. He’d hoped to get a feel for her-not that kind-without her acting differently around him because he was the pack leader. He’d wanted to get to know the real her so that he could better understand if what she said was truth or not.
Though the possibility that she might be a spy didn’t seem to stop him from having sex with her. Damn heat.
He swallowed to wet his dry throat and then opened his mouth to explain. It seemed, however, the world was hell bent on constantly interrupting them because before he could say a thing the sound of pounding footsteps pricked his ears.
Turning his head towards the sound, he felt more guilt swamp him as a large white wolf approached.
She was already sniffing the ground, her pink and black nose low to the dirt as her eyes honed in on the other female. Kiley was not only over protective, but paranoid as well. She trusted no one, and for good reason. She hissed out a growl when she reached them, shifting so that she was closer to her leader.
Jensen used all his strength standing, shifting his gaze between the two females before him. Shit. This wasn’t going to end well.
Olivia stiffened as the newcomer moved closer to her mate. I have a mate, she thought, the sound of the word odd to her. She’d only been alive for a hundred years or so, and it was strange to think she’d already found the other half of her soul. Many went centuries without ever getting a glimpse of the person they were supposed to be with.
The only problem was she knew nothing about this Were, and even worse, the way the new female positioned herself spoke volumes of their relationship. Jealousy clawed at her, as if a living being trying to tear out of her chest. She was emitting low warning growls before she knew what she was doing, and in a flash she wore her silver wolf skin.
The new Were seemed slightly shocked by her reaction but then bent lower to the ground, making ready to pounce. She frowned when he placed a hand on her white pelt stopping her.
“ She’s threatening me,” the wolf’s voice echoed around them, a smooth lyrical female tone that had no doubt seduced many a men.
Olivia hated it right away.
“ No, she’s just reacting…” he seemed lost for words, puckering out his lips in frustration. “She can’t help it.”
“ Can’t help it? Who is she, and why have you allowed her so close?” the other female hissed. “If you wanted to get yourself beaten, I would have gladly-”
Olivia snapped her jaws, coming very close to nipping the other female’s muzzle with the action. It didn’t matter that she could sense she’d lose in a fight. No one was going to threaten her mate like that, not even someone he clearly knew.
“ Stop!” he waved her off as well, taking a clear stance between the two of them with his arms held out to catch them should they disobey. “Kiley,” he turned to the white wolf, “watch what you say, she’s vulnerable right now. She can’t help what she’s doing. And Oli, back off. She’s a friend.”
The nick name rolled off his tongue with such ease that she barely even registered he’d used one. When it did hit her, her brows winged up and she straightened on her paws.
The other girl shifted, pulling magic around her like a cloak. In the white wolf’s place now stood a tall lithe woman with long auburn hair, her feet squared in a warrior’s stance.
Olivia did the same, attempting to show that she wasn’t afraid of her. Weakness wasn’t acceptable to their kind.
“ Pretty soon she isn’t going to be the only one who doesn’t have control of their actions, Jensen,” the girl, Kiley, stated, eyes narrowed to tiny slits.
“ Kindle, trust me-”
“ Wait.” It hit Olivia like a sledge hammer, and she cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “What did she just call you?” Oh, gods no. There was no way she could have screwed up so…royally.
Kiley quirked a brow then paused, an odd look coming over her face. Tilting her head up, she sniffed, eyes going wide a moment later.
“ Oh crap.”
“ Kiley-” Jensen reached a hand towards her, but she took a step back.
“ No, no. I don’t need an explanation. Why don’t you two…I’ll just…”she glanced towards the lake and pointed. “I’ll be over there. Give you guys some time to…figure this out.”
Olivia waited until she was far enough out of ear shot then glared at her mate. “You’re Jensen Kalen? You’re the leader of the Moonshine pack?! You’re my mate?!”
“ Could you at least pretend to not be so upset by that,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’m sure you can understand someone in my position has to be cautious who he drops his name to. You could have been a spy sent by my brother.”
She chucked her chin out in the direction of the other female Were. “And her? Looks like you trust her. A lot.”
“ Kiley’s just a really good friend. I’ve known her for centuries now. For all I know, you’ve got someone back in your village.”
“ Don’t you think I would have brought him along if that were the case?” she said. “Besides, it wouldn’t matter now anyway. Once the mark appears it can’t be removed. Destiny says we’re meant.”
Jensen sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “We don’t have to figure anything out right now,” he began. “I understand that this isn’t something you expected, I myself am thrown. Being with a regent is dangerous, especially one whose own brother wants him dead. Why don’t we go to my camp? Get some food and rest. Nothing has to be decided here.”
She frowned. He wasn’t really making much sense. There was nothing either of them could do other then die. It was impossible for one to leave their mate. The pull was just too strong. She thought the need of heat was terrible, this would be worse, was already so much worse.
It was night time now, and moonlight was spilling between the branches, illuminating his head and bathing his tanned skin in a creamy white glow. The way he looked now, it was amazing that she hadn’t realized who he was sooner.
“ We can’t separate,” she told him, just the thought of it forcing her chest to tighten in panic.
