Phoebe's POV
Terror clawed at my chest, a familiar companion that had haunted me through every nightmare I'd lived. No matter how many times fear wrapped its icy fingers around my throat, I never grew numb to its bite.
When the king strode toward the car, dread twisted in my gut like a living thing. But beneath the terror, something else stirred—anticipation that made my skin burn with shame.
My fingers found the mark on my neck before I could stop myself. I jerked my hand away, lacing my fingers together and fixing my stare on the seat ahead. Stay quiet. Don't breathe wrong. Don't give him a reason to end you.
This could be my escape from the Obsidian Claw pack's hell. Or it could drag me somewhere infinitely worse.
The moment Perry slid into the car, the air turned electric. His presence hit me like a physical force, drowning my senses until I couldn't think straight.
