A tocsin blared in my head. I wanted to shout, I'm not bonded! Then I thought of Aylin's touch in the bar and how my body instantly called to her. In all the time I had known her, I had never felt such a guttural need for her. I shook my head. We were not bonded.
Gabriel hefted the hilt of the sword—the black char clinging around the sharp edges—and lunged. I tried to step back, but was halted by the side of my vehicle. The blade pierced through my stomach; the coal black strands unraveled and slid inside my body.
I clutched my stomach. Blood stained my crisp, white t-shirt. Another damn shirt ruined.
Slowly, I sank to the ground. I looked at my wrist. I didn't need to see a glowing imprint to know my heart belonged to Aylin. But black poison coursed through my body. Pain erupted like spewing lava. I screamed over and over until my world went black.
Chapter Three
Aylin
“How'd you know?” I had stayed quiet on the way to Liam and Bryn's house, but couldn't hold back any longer. I was so careful to avoid the pack, to hide my imprint. Yet within minutes of being in Bryn's presence, she had guessed. My ability to hide the imprint and my pull toward Connor was pathetic.
“Honey, sit down.” Bryn placed a hand over her belly. She would be a great mother. And a protective one.
I paced the living room. “I can't.”
I just couldn't convince myself to slow down. Every particle within me was on high alert. Tension ran through my body like a geyser ready to burst. I wasn't sure if it was the imprint, my recent outing, or my interactions with Connor.
Warning. Warning. Warning. My internal alarm bells rang and flashing red lights swarmed through my mind.
“Aylin.” Bryn placed a hand on my shoulder. Her magic swam through me. Calming, relaxing. This was the most serene I had felt in three months. “Sit down.”
“Thanks.” I laid my hand over hers and sank to the couch. “I guess I needed that.”
“You sure did.” Bryn laughed and walked toward the kitchen. “Hang on a sec.” She came back a moment later with two steaming cups of hot tea.
“So...” I prompted, and sipped the chamomile beverage she offered. Bryn's touch had diluted the nagging sensation of danger, but it crept back into my system. I rubbed the back of my neck and willed it to go away.
“Oh, the imprint.” Bryn pointed to my wrist. “Seeing your reaction to Brad's touch reminded me so much of what I felt when Mitch grabbed me in the bakery. It was my body's way of telling me, 'Nope, not him. He's not your mate.’”
I nodded. My body rejected Brad the instant he approached me. My skin had crawled. That type of reaction never happened before. He was a regular at the bar, and we often drank together.
“And the way you turned toward Connor.” Bryn sighed.
“Hold up!” I walked to the window. “Connor's not imprinted.” My voice was strong and steady, even though my body deflated at the realization that the man I wanted wasn't made for me. Connor and I could never make it work. First, he's the Beta, the second-in-command. I'm the enforcer and apparently not his other half. If we mated, one of us would have picked up on it by now.
“You sure? There's only one way to seal the deal.” Bryn grinned.
I growled.
It was just like old times. I had missed our interactions these past few months.
“I know how it works.” I pointed to Bryn and waved my hands toward her belly. “But you and Liam were imprinted to each other before you even met.”
“But our bond wasn't completed until our relationship was consummated.”
“Then why the hell am I imprinted and he isn't, if you're so sure he's my mate? I've been looking for my soul bond, but haven't found him.” I ran a shaky hand through my hair.
“Seriously, Aylin. Sit back down and we will discuss this.” Bryn patted the couch beside her. “Let's start from the beginning. How long have you been imprinted?”
I flopped down, but shook my leg. My body stirred with a strange need. A pull to get away, escape. I felt trapped and vulnerable. The latter scared the shit out of me. I wasn't used to feelings. Particularly weak ones. “The day of the accident.”
I had almost died that day. If it wasn't for Bryn and her healing power, I would have.
“Shit, Aylin.” She slapped my shoulder. “That was months ago.”
“I know.” It was the day my entire life changed. I was once cool, collected. Now, I was finicky, always on edge. Life was cruel.
“How are you even functioning?” Bryn flushed. “Dealing with the hyperactive sexual pull?”
I rubbed my hand over my wrist. The imprint pulsated, shooting spurts of fire through my body. For the first time, I felt the pull of something. Someone. It was distracting.
“It's different for me.” I tried to piece together the jumble of my life over the last few months. “I crave something. Someone. It's a primal need. A longing. But not like I'm connected to anyone. More like a piece of me, or the bond, is missing. And my pull is trying to find that piece.”
“But not now?” Bryn asked.
Observant little bitch.
“No.”
“It's Connor.” Bryn raised her eyebrows and leaned forward. Placing a hand on my shoulder, she tried to seek answers. See what was happening to me with her ability, but she jolted backwards, shocked by the disturbances within me.
A crack, a break in my barrier, ripped open. A presence invaded my body and swam into my soul. Thankful to be seated, I sank back into the couch and closed my eyes. The sensation overwhelmed me. Frightened me. My heart rate pounded like the rapid beating drum. It was draining.
“I... don't... know.” I forced the words from my lips as piercing pain shot through my abdomen, just below my ribcage. I bit
