Gia’s mother was a tigress. I faltered when the little creature spilled the beans, and by the look on her face, I could tell I was in deep s**t. She strode over and slapped me so hard my jaw ached. I didn’t expect any less. Gia could have died when I rejected her; I had to own my reckless actions.
When the creature dropped the next bomb, I was stunned. Gia looked upset that he had told us. All this time, she knew she would need my mark, yet she had still refused me. Could I blame her? The things I had said to her, the pain I had caused, it was hard to forgive. Knowing the stakes only made it worse, but at the same time, I didn’t want her to accept me due to necessity. I wanted her forgiveness, her trust, and her love; I wanted all of her.
I thanked the Moon Goddess that she hadn’t actua
