Chapter 13 Corbin
1062 Words
I’ve bedded women before. More than I care to count. But what happened with Anika?
That wasn’t s*x.
That was something else—transcendence.
When you take your mate—your soulmate—it isn’t just physical. It’s spiritual. A tether binding heart to heart, skin to soul. And now that I’ve tasted her like that, touched her like that…
There’s no going back.
I don’t want to go back.
She’s asleep beside me, her skin glowing with the aftermath of our bond. The mark I left on her neck is a promise inked into flesh, burning bright beneath the curve of her collarbone.
Ezra is silent for once—content, at peace. His possessive energy hums beneath the surface of my skin, protective, watchful.
“She’s ours now.”
I nod to myself, brushing a strand of hair off her cheek. Even in sleep, Anika is temptation personified. Wild and ethereal. The chaos I didn’t know I needed until she walked into my life like a goddamn storm.
But we’re not finished.
Marking is only the beginning.
We still need the mating ceremony—the final step. The ritual that binds us before the Goddess, makes us truly untouchable.
I kiss her forehead and slide out of bed, the absence of her warmth already gnawing at me. But I need to speak to Mother. I’m done waiting.
I find them in the study. Mother’s voice slices through the air before I even open the door.
“What in the name of the Moon Goddess were you thinking, Samuel?” she hisses. “Can’t you see that boy loves that girl? And you were about to marry him off to Grace?”
“I did what I had to do,” Father growls back. “Mate or no mate, he’s the future Alpha. He can’t lead with a rogue beside him. And Anika wouldn’t accept the bond—”
“Because she’s terrified! But she needs him. Just like Corbin needs her.”
I knock once and lean into the doorway, arms crossed, my voice cold.
“Are you two quite finished arranging my future like I’m a pawn in one of your little strategy games?”
They jump, startled.
“Corbin, how many times have I told you about eavesdropping?” Mother frowns, but she’s trying not to smile.
Father straightens with a grunt. “We were only discussing your status—”
“You reek of her,” Mother interrupts, stepping closer.
She pulls my shirt aside, eyes widening. “You’re marked.”
She doesn’t wait for confirmation. Her entire demeanor changes, lips curving into a knowing smile as she looks at Father with that classic you’d-better-agree-or-sleep-alone glare.
Father’s pride bristles. “So the rogue finally wore you down?”
Ezra bristles inside me. A low growl rumbles through my chest.
“Say her name again, old man. I dare you.”
He’s on edge—ever since Silvara appeared, he’s been protective to the point of feral. And Grace? Her name alone is enough to make him see red.
Mother lifts a hand, placing it firmly on Father’s chest.
“Enough. He’s claimed his mate. This is what the Goddess intended. End of discussion.”
She turns back to me with a gentler tone. “What brings you here, Corbin?”
“I want to schedule the mating ceremony,” I say without hesitation. “She’s marked. It’s time. And with rogues sniffing around, it’s a matter of safety.”
Mother nods, eyes softening. “You’re right. Binding yourselves will make you stronger—more connected. And clearly, your father is desperate to step down.”
I ignore his scoff and nod. “Just...keep an eye on her. She’s strong, but she’s still learning.”
Ezra
We return to our room, expecting to find our mate tangled in sheets, wrapped in the scent of us.
But she’s gone.
My hackles rise. She’s not here.
“Training,” Corbin mutters, jaw clenched. “With Briar.”
Briar.
That wolf.
I snarl in the back of his mind. It doesn’t matter that he’s loyal. Doesn’t matter that he’s our Beta. She feels too damn comfortable with him, and every moment she’s alone with him sets me on edge.
We storm toward the training field. No sign of her.
Banks points toward the woods. “They shifted and ran off for wolf training.”
Before I can reply, a blur emerges from the treeline.
Briar.
He’s carrying Anika.
Our Anika.
She’s limp in his arms.
My world narrows.
Corbin sprints forward and yanks her from him, holding her close. Her skin is burning, sweat glistening on her brow. Her body radiates distress. Pain.
We don’t hesitate.
We run.
At the infirmary, I place her gently on the bed, and she’s wheeled away. I pace like a caged animal until Briar walks in.
My hands slam him against the wall before I can stop myself.
“What the f**k happened?” I growl, spittle flying.
“She barely shifted,” he gasps. “We were training Silvara. Then she just… dropped.”
I lower him slowly and slump into the nearest chair, running both hands through my hair. Panic bubbles under my skin.
Ezra paces inside me, growling low.
“She’s in pain. I can feel it. We need to be with her.”
The doctor emerges, expression unreadable.
“Corbin, may I speak to you?”
“What’s wrong?” I demand. “I can feel her pain.”
“She’s gone into heat,” the doctor says bluntly. “Marking her before the ritual triggered an early onset. You should’ve known this could happen.”
My stomach drops.
“What do I do?”
“Take her home. I’ve sedated her, but it won’t last long. She’ll need her mate to get through the next twenty-four hours.”
I nod, already moving.
I find her in the medical room, her skin flushed, heart hammering even in sleep. I brush a kiss across her knuckles and lift her carefully into my arms.
She melts into me instinctively, her body knowing mine.
Ezra purrs inside me, a low satisfied rumble.
“Let them try to take her. Let the world come. We’ll burn it down to protect her.”
We’re not just bound.
We’re claimed.
Marked.
Chosen.
And now, the real test begins.
- Writer
