Chapter 6: Aftermath
387 Words
Maya woke up to pain.
Not the burning, consuming pain from last night, but a dull ache deep in her bones. Her body felt different. Heavier. Stronger. Like she could run for miles without getting tired.
She was in Kade’s bed. His arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her against his chest like he was afraid she’d disappear if he let go. His breathing was slow, steady. Asleep.
The mark on her neck throbbed.
She reached up and touched it. The skin was tender, but there was something else there now. A warmth that spread through her chest every time she thought of him. The bond.
It terrified her.
Kade stirred, pulling her closer before his eyes even opened. “Morning, mate,” he murmured against her hair.
“Don’t call me that,” she said, but there was no heat in it.
Kade opened one eye and smirked. “Too late. You’re mine now. Forever.”
Maya sat up, pulling away from him. The room spun for a second before settling. Her senses felt sharper—she could hear his heartbeat, smell the faint trace of rain on his skin, see every detail of the room in the dim morning light.
“What did you do to me?” she whispered.
“I saved your life,” he said, sitting up beside her. His expression was serious now. “Your wolf would have torn you apart from the inside if I hadn’t marked you. The transition is dangerous alone.”
“And now?”
“Now you’re safe. But you’re not done changing yet.” Kade’s jaw tightened. “The first shift is coming. Usually within 48 hours of the mark.”
Maya’s blood ran cold. “Shift? As in… turn into a wolf?”
Kade nodded. “I’ll be with you. It won’t hurt. I promise.”
She didn’t believe him.
A knock at the door interrupted them.
“Alpha,” a voice called from outside. “We have a problem. Rogues at the south border. They’re looking for her.”
Kade’s expression hardened instantly. He stood, grabbing clothes from the chair.
“Stay here,” he told Maya. “Don’t leave this room. Understand me?”
Maya stared at him, her heart sinking.
So much for safety.
The war had already found her.
- Writer
