Morning hit like a slap. Gray light snuck in through the skinny windows high up on the wall. Elara blinked awake, her body screaming at her. Ribs hurt from where she'd been slammed down last night. Wrists were red and raw from that silver rope, even though it wasn't there anymore. Someone must have come in and cut it off while she was out. The idea of Thorne or one of his wolves watching her sleep made her skin crawl.She pushed herself up on the big bed. The furs were soft, too soft, and they smelled like him. Smoke from a fire, pine trees, and something else she couldn't place. It made her nose wrinkle. She rubbed her face, trying to shake off the fog in her head. Mouth tasted bad, like old blood and dirt. Throat was dry. She spotted a pitcher of water on a small wooden table by the wall. Got up, poured some into a cup, drank it down fast. Cold water helped wake her up a bit.But there was something else nagging at her. A warm feeling deep in her belly. Not hunger. Not pain. It was like an itch she couldn't scratch, starting slow but getting stronger. Every time she moved, it pulled at her. Made her skin feel hot under her clothes. Shirt stuck to her back. She tugged at it, annoyed. What the hell was this?She paced the room. Stone floor cold under her boots. Door was thick wood with iron on it. She tried the handle again. Locked tight. Windows were too narrow and way too high to climb out. She was stuck. For now. A knock came on the door. She froze. It opened without waiting for her to say anything.A woman came in. Tall, with silver hair pulled back in a simple tie. Eyes the same amber color as Thorne's, but not as hard. She had a tray in her hands bread, some cheese, a bowl of stew that smelled good."Morning," the woman said, setting the tray on the table. "I'm Mara. Thorne's sister. He sent me to check on you and bring food."Elara crossed her arms. Stood by the bed. "I'm not his anything. Don't act like I am."Mara gave her a look, not mean, just knowing. "The bond doesn't care what you call it. It's there. Eat something. You'll need energy for tonight."Elara's stomach twisted at that. "What's tonight?""Marking ceremony." Mara said it like it was no big deal. "Full moon. The pack comes together. Thorne bites your neck. Seals the bond. Makes it official."Elara felt her face go hot. "Bite me? Like some animal? No way in hell."Mara shrugged a little. "You think that now. But the heat's starting. I can see it in your face. By evening, it'll be pulling hard. Fighting just makes it hurt more."Heat. That word clicked. The warm ache in her gut. The way her body felt restless. Elara clenched her fists. "I don't want your advice. Get out."Mara didn't argue. "Bath's ready in the side room. Water's hot. Clothes on the chair. Guards will come at dusk." She turned to go, then stopped. "It's not all bad, you know. Being luna. But that's up to you." Door closed. Lock turned.Elara stood there, breathing hard. The room felt smaller. She looked at the tray. Stomach growled loud. Fine. She sat down and ate. Bread was fresh, crusty on outside, soft inside. Cheese sharp. Stew warm, with chunks of meat and carrots. She ate it all, spoon scraping the bowl. Felt better after. Stronger.Side door led to a small room with a stone tub. Water steamed, bits of herbs floating on top. Smelled like lavender or something calming. She stripped off her dirty clothes, hunting shirt torn, pants muddy. Got in the tub. Water burned at first on her bruises, then eased them. She sank down, head back against the edge. Closed her eyes.Tried to think. Escape. How? Door locked. Guards outside. Keep was huge, full of wolves. She'd need a weapon or a distraction. But her mind kept drifting. The heat was back, stronger. Water lapped at her skin, and every wave sent little tingles through her. Nipples tightened. She shifted, water sloshing. Felt a throb between her legs. Bit her lip. No. Not thinking about that.Got out quick. Dried off with a rough towel. Clothes waiting, a dress, dark red, soft material. Long sleeves, but low cut in front. Slits up the sides for moving easy. No pants. No boots. She put it on. Felt exposed. Fabric clung a little. She missed her hunting gear.Back in the main room, she paced more. Sun moved across the sky outside. Shadows got longer. Heat built slow. Steady. By midday, she was sweating. Forehead damp. Every step made her aware of her body. Thighs rubbing. Dress brushing skin. She sat on the bed. Lay down. Curled up. Didn't help. The ache grew. Pulled low. Made her breath come short.She punched the pillow. "Damn you, Thorne."Afternoon dragged. She tried the door again. Banged on it. "Let me out!" No answer. Just echoes.Heat turned mean. Like fire inside. She paced faster. Bit her nails. Sat again. Crossed her legs tight. Uncrossed them. Nothing stopped it. Body wanted something. Someone. Him. The thought made her mad. But it wouldn't go away.Dusk finally came. Sky turned pink and orange through the windows. Knock. Door opened. Two guards stood there. Big men, arms like tree trunks. "Time to go."Elara stood. Chin up. "Where?""Great hall. Ceremony."They walked her out. One in front, one behind. Halls were long, stone walls with torches flickering. People peeked from doors. Whispered. "Human... mate... huntress..." She ignored them. Kept eyes straight.Great hall was massive. High ceiling. Banners on walls with wolf symbols. Full of people, hundreds. All shifted to human, but eyes glowed in the torchlight. Smell was thick, sweat, fur, wood smoke. Made her nose wrinkle.Path cleared down the middle. She walked it slow bare feet now quiet on the floor. Platform at the end. Steps up. Thorne waited there. Black cloak over his shoulders. Leather pants. Iron crown with sharp thorns sitting on his black hair. He looked tall. Strong. Eyes found hers right away. Didn't look away.She stopped at the bottom step. Heart pounding.Thorne came down two steps. Held out his hand. "Come up."She didn't move. "No thanks."Murmurs from the crowd. He stepped closer. Grabbed her wrist gentle but firm. Pulled her up the steps. She tugged back once. He didn't let go. Led her to the center of the platform.An old man in gray robes stood there. Elder, probably. He raised his hands. Voice boomed out. "Tonight, under the full moon, Alpha Thorne claims his fated mate. Blood will mix. Bite will bind. Souls will join."The pack howled back. Loud. Echoed off walls.Thorne turned her to face him. Let go of her wrist. "Kneel."Elara met his eyes. Defiant. "Make me."His jaw tightened. He leaned in close, breath warm on her ear. "Kneel, or I'll put you down myself."The heat surged. Made her legs shake. Not from fear. From need. She hated it. But she sank down. Knees hit the wood platform it was cold.Elder started chanting. Words in some old language. Sounded like growls and whispers mixed.Thorne pulled out a small silver knife. Cut across his palm quick. Blood welled up dark red. He held his hand out to her."Drink," the elder said.Elara looked at the blood. Then up at Thorne. His face was blank, but eyes intense. She took his hand. Pulled it close. Licked the cut. Blood hit her tongue, hot, metallic, salty. Fire exploded in her chest. Raced through her veins. Made her gasp. Head spun with flashes pictures in her mind. Thorne fighting battles. Blood on snow. People dying. Him alone in the dark. Pain. Loneliness.Then he took the knife. Cut her palm. Shallow sting. He licked her blood. Same way. His eyes stayed on hers. More flashes, her life now. Father buried. Hunting solo. Building walls around her heart. Their pains twisted together. Then the heat came in the flashes too. Strong. Pulling them close.Thorne grabbed her arms. Pulled her up to stand. Crushed his mouth against hers. Kiss hard. Lips bruising. She bit his bottom lip in anger. Tasted more blood. He growled deep in his throat. Kissed harder. Tongue pushed in. Demanding.Pack roared approval. Cheers loud.He broke the kiss. Breathing fast. Spun her around quick. Her back pressed to his chest. One arm locked around her waist like iron. Other hand grabbed her chin. Tilted her head to the side. Neck exposed. Skin tingled there."Fight all you want," he whispered right in her ear. Voice rough. "It's happening."His mouth came down. Teeth—fangs—grazed her skin. Then sank in.Pain hit like a knife. White hot. She tensed up. Then pleasure flooded in behind it. Like a wave crashing. Warm. Intense. Raced down her body. Pooled between her legs. She moaned loud, couldn't hold it back. Her back arched into him. Knees buckled. He held her up tight.The bite held for what felt like forever. Pleasure built higher. Mark burned on her neck, two crescent shapes. Bond snapped fully in place. Like a chain locking. She felt him inside her head. His thoughts brushing hers. His need matching her heat.Finally, he pulled back. Slow. Lips smeared with her blood. Eyes wild, pupils big."Mine," he said. Voice like gravel.Elara trembled all over. Heat raged now. Worse than before. Wetness slick between her thighs. Body aching for more. Needing it.Thorne didn't wait. Scooped her up in his arms like she weighed nothing. Carried her off the platform. Through the crowd. People cheered and howled. Patted his back. She buried her face in his shoulder. Too much.He took stairs two at a time. Down a hall. Kicked open a heavy door. His room. Bigger than hers. Bed massive, piled with black furs. Candles lit on tables. Smelled like him times ten.Set her down on her feet. Stepped back a little. Door shut behind him. Locked it."Now," he said, eyes dark. "We finish the claiming."Elara backed up. Legs hit the bed edge. "Don't come near me."He stalked forward slow. "Your body's saying something else. Shaking. Flushed."It was true. Mark on her neck throbbed with every heartbeat. Sent sparks straight down. Made her core clench.He reached out. She slapped his hand away hard.He caught her wrist mid-air. Twisted it gentle, pinned it above her head against the wall. She was trapped between stone and him. His other hand slid down her side. Over her breast, thumb brushed nipple through fabric. Down her waist. Hip. Found the slit in the dress. Fingers touched bare thigh.She sucked in a sharp breath. "Stop."He didn't. Fingers moved up. Slow. Teasing. Found her center. She was soaked. He growled low in his chest. Pleased."Tell me you want it," he said."I hate you." Words came out weak.He pushed one finger inside her. Easy. She was ready. Then a second. Curled them. Thumb found her clit. Rubbed slow circles.Elara's head fell back against the wall. Moan escaped. Hips moved on their own. Pushing into his hand."That's it," he murmured. "Hate me while you come."He sped up. Fingers pumping. Thumb pressing harder. Pleasure built fast. Bond fed it his excitement mixing with hers. Made it double.She shattered. Cried out loud. Body clenched around his fingers. Legs shook. Vision blurred for a second.He pulled his hand away. Licked his fingers clean while watching her. "Good girl."Didn't give her time to recover. Picked her up again. Threw her on the bed gentle. Climbed over her. Tore the dress open down the front. Fabric ripped easy. She was naked now, exposed. Mark on her neck still throbbing.He stripped fast. Cloak off. Pants gone. Body bare. Scars everywhere old fights. Muscles hard. Cock thick, hard, ready."Last chance to say no," he said. Voice strained. Like he was holding back.Elara looked at him. Heat demanded. Bond pulled. She grabbed his shoulders. Pulled him down on top of her."Yes," she whispered. Hated herself for it.His mouth crashed on hers again. Kiss hungry. Teeth nipping. Hands roamed. Squeezed her breasts. Pinched nipples. She arched up. Gasped into his mouth.Her hands clawed his back. Nails digging in. He groaned. Liked it.Pushed her legs wide with his knee. Settled between them. Tip of him pressed at her entrance. Hot. Hard."Look at me," he commanded.She opened her eyes. Met his amber ones. Burning.He thrust in. Slow at first. Inch by inch. Stretch burned a little. Then filled her perfect. She moaned deep.He started moving. Pull out slow. Push back in hard. Bed creaked under them. Furs bunched up.Pace picked up. Hips snapping. Skin slapping. Sweat slicked them both.Bond made every thrust echo. She felt his pleasure, tight, building. He felt hers, coiling again."Fuck," he growled. "So tight."She wrapped legs around him. Pulled him deeper. "Harder."He did. Pounded. Hand between them. Rubbed her clit again."Come with me," he said.Pleasure hit peak. She came hard. Clenched around him. Screamed his name.He followed right after. Thrust deep one last time. Groaned loud. Spilled inside her. Hot pulses.They collapsed. Him on top. Heavy but not crushing. Breathing synced up.He rolled to the side after a minute. Pulled her close. Arm over her waist."Mine," he whispered. Softer this time. Almost tender.Elara didn't answer. Eyes closed. Heat finally quiet. Body spent. Mind spinning.She wasn't broken. Not yet. This was just the bond. Magic. Not her choice.Tomorrow she'd fight. Find a way out. Break this.But tonight, in the dark, with his warmth next to her, she let sleep come.The mark on her neck hummed soft.
