MARKED BY THE LYCAN KING

Chapter 8: The Bonds Awakens

Alina couldn’t sleep.

The palace was quiet, but her mind wasn’t.

The mark on her neck burned again.

Not painful.

Just warm.

Alive.

She sat up slowly and pressed her fingers against it.

The moment she touched it, heat rushed through her body.

Her breath caught.

Then—

Everything disappeared.

A dark forest surrounded her.

Cold wind.

The sound of something running through the trees.

Fast.

Powerful.

A massive black wolf burst through the shadows.

Golden eyes.

Fury.

Loneliness.

Alina gasped.

The emotions hit her all at once, so strong they barely felt like her own.

Then she heard a voice.

Low.

Dangerous.

Familiar.

“Who is there?”

Kael.

Her eyes flew open.

She was back in her room.

Breathing hard.

The mark on her neck burned brighter than ever.

Heavy footsteps echoed outside.

Then the door burst open.

Kael stood there.

His golden eyes locked onto her instantly.

“What did you do?” he demanded.

Alina stared at him. “What?”

“You were in my head.”

Her heart skipped.

“I was what?”

Kael stepped closer.

“You entered my mind.”

“I didn’t mean to!”

His jaw tightened.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then his gaze shifted to the mark on her neck.

“The bond is growing faster than it should.”

Alina frowned.

“What does that mean?”

“It means you should not be able to do that yet.”

Before she could ask more, Kael stepped closer and touched the mark lightly.

Heat exploded through her body.

Alina gasped.

Kael froze.

His eyes darkened.

“You feel it too,” he said quietly.

Alina pulled away immediately.

“Stop doing that.”

But Kael kept looking at her like she was something dangerous.

Something impossible.

“You are changing,” he said.

Fear curled in her chest.

“I’m still human.”

His gaze stayed on her.

“Maybe not for long.”

Before she could answer—

A loud horn echoed through the palace.

Then another.

And another.

Kael turned sharply toward the window.

His expression darkened instantly.

“What is it?” Alina asked.

“The northern packs.”

Her blood ran cold.

“They’re here?”

Kael looked out into the darkness.

Distant howls filled the night.

Too many to count.

“They came sooner than I expected,” he said.

Alina stood quickly. “Are they attacking the palace?”

A cold smile touched his lips.

“Yes.”

Fear gripped her chest.

But Kael looked almost pleased.

“Stay in this room,” he said.

“And if I don’t?”

He turned back toward her.

His golden eyes burned in the dark.

“Then pray the enemy finds you before I do.”

Then he walked out.

Leaving Alina alone.

With a burning mark.

A strange bond.

And the sound of war beginning outside.