THE ALPHA’S FORBIDDEN MATE

CHAPTER 13: "BLEEDING IN PUBLIC"

I thought I could hide it.

I was wrong.

By 9AM the next day, the cracks on my neck had spread.

Thin silver lines, like lightning, crawling down my collarbone.

And they were bleeding.

Not a lot. Just enough.

Enough to stain my collar.

I had a deadline. $200 for 10 product descriptions.

I couldn’t afford to miss it.

So I put on a turtleneck. Heavy makeup.

And went to the North Pack office to drop off files.

“Observation” remember?

The receptionist took one look at me and frowned.

“Ms. K, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

I wasn’t.

Because Drake was in the building.

I could feel him. Every step he took down the hall made my mark burn hotter.

Raven. What did you do?

His voice in my head. Angry. Scared.

Nothing. The bond is doing it.

Stay there. I’m coming.

Too late.

I bent to pick up a pen and felt it.

Warm. Wet.

Blood running down my neck.

I straightened too fast.

And the turtleneck slipped.

Just for a second.

But it was enough.

5 wolves saw it.

The silver cracks. The blood. The glow.

Whispers started immediately.

“That’s the mark.”

“That’s Drake’s.”

“She’s his mate.”

My phone buzzed.

Drake: Don’t move.

But the doors opened.

Elder Maren.

And Lila.

Elder Maren’s eyes went straight to my neck.

To the blood.

“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded.

Lila gasped. Perfectly timed. “Oh my god. Ravendon, you’re hurt!”

She turned to the crowd. “The bond is rejecting her. Look! It’s killing her!”

It wasn’t rejecting me.

It was reacting to Drake being close and pretending I didn’t exist.

But no one cared about the truth.

Drake appeared in the doorway.

He saw me. Saw the blood. Saw everyone staring.

His jaw clenched.

“Everyone out,” he said. Quiet.

“No,” Elder Maren said. “This is pack business now, Alpha.”

She pointed at me. “This human is a danger. To you. To the pack. The engagement with Lila must proceed immediately to sever this... abomination.”

Drake looked at me.

At the blood on my shirt.

At the mark he gave me.

I could see it in his eyes.

The choice.

Help me. Expose us. Start a war.

Or let them take me.

He took one step forward.

“Raven—”

“Don’t,” I said out loud. First time I spoke.

My voice was steady. Even though I was shaking.

“Don’t do it for me.”

I pulled my collar up. Covered the mark.

“I’m fine,” I lied. “It’s just a cut.”

I looked at Elder Maren.

“I’ll go. Voluntarily. For observation. Like you wanted.”

Because if I didn’t, he would choose me.

And the pack would tear him apart.

Drake’s face broke. Just for a second.

Then it went blank.

“Beta Cole,” he said. “Escort Ms. K to the medical wing.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

As they led me away, I felt it.

Lila’s hand in his.

And the bond screaming.

I was bleeding.

And he let them take me.

26 days to go.