Chapter 4: Claimed
1135 Words
SAGE'S POV
"Mate," I whispered, testing the word.
My wolf purred inside me, fully awake and vibrating with recognition. After five years of silence, she was here. Because of him.
The stranger's hand tightened in my hair. "I should explain what this means, but…"
"Stop talking," I said, surprising myself.
His silver eyes widened.
"I don't care about explanations right now. I don't care about consequences." I leaned into him, gripping his shoulders. "For once in my life, I just want something that's mine."
"Sage." My name on his lips sounded like a plea.
"Please. Tonight has been the worst night of my life. Everyone I trusted betrayed me." Tears streamed down my face. "And then you appeared, and my wolf woke up. Don't make me think. Just be here, with me."
He growled low in his throat, and suddenly his mouth was on mine again.
This kiss was different. Desperate and Consuming. Like we were both drowning and the other person was air.
My wolf sang inside me, urging me closer. His lycan responded in the rumble of his chest, the tightening of his grip, the way his whole body trembled with barely controlled power.
We moved together in the darkness, two broken pieces finally finding where they fit. He was careful with me, constantly checking that I was okay, that I wanted this.
And I did.
The cabin, the torn dress, the ruined festival, it all faded until there was only this; only us. The feeling of finally being wanted for exactly who I was.
After, he pulled me against his chest, his arms wrapped around me like he was afraid I might disappear. I could hear his heart thundering beneath my ear.
"I don't even know your name," I said softly, tracing patterns on his chest.
"It's better this way. For now."
"Why?"
"Because when the sun rises, reality will come crashing back." His voice held regret. "And I don't want reality to touch this. Not yet."
Exhaustion pulled at me. The emotional devastation, the physical exertion, the overwhelming intensity, it all caught up at once.
"Sleep, little wolf," he murmured. "I'll keep watch."
"Don't leave," I whispered.
"I won't."
The lie was kind, at least. I drifted off feeling safe for the first time in years.
***
I woke to searing pain.
My shoulder blade burned like someone had pressed a hot iron against it. I gasped, trying to sit up, but strong hands held me in place.
"Shh." His voice was rough, strained. "I'm sorry. I tried to stop, but my lycan won't be denied."
"What are you doing?" The pain intensified, spreading across my shoulder in intricate patterns.
"Marking you." His mouth pressed against the burning skin. "Mine. You are mine."
The possessiveness should have frightened me. Instead, my wolf preened, accepting the claim eagerly.
The pain peaked, then slowly faded to a warm throb. I felt his tongue trace over the mark, soothing it.
"Now everyone will know you belong to me," he said softly.
"I don't even know who you are," I mumbled, already drifting back toward sleep.
"You will." He gathered me close again, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "When I find you again, it will be under the right circumstances. When I can give you everything you deserve. Court you properly."
"You're leaving." It wasn't a question.
"I have to." Pain laced his words. "But I will find you again, Sage. I swear it. Wait for me."
I tried to fight the exhaustion, tried to stay awake, but my body had other ideas.
"Wait for me."
***
I woke to birdsong and cold emptiness.
Dawn light streamed through the holes in the roof. I sat up slowly, my body aching. The space beside me was empty, getting cold.
He was gone. My chest constricted. Despite his promise, he'd left.
Then I felt it, the throb in my shoulder blade. I twisted, trying to see, and gasped.
An elaborate mark covered my left shoulder blade. Intricate swirls and patterns that looked almost like a crown wrapped in vines or thorns.
I traced it with my fingers. The skin was raised, warm. Permanent.
My wolf stirred lazily inside me, content and satisfied. At least she was still here. Still awake.
I found my phone on the floor, screen cracked but functional. 6:47 AM. I could sneak back, grab my things, and leave. The thought of facing Derek, Tessa, and Victoria made my stomach turn.
I gathered the torn remnants of my dress, trying to make myself presentable. The mark was covered by fabric, at least.
I was almost to the door when I heard footsteps outside.
My heart leaped. He came back. The door swung open, but it wasn't him.
Tessa stood in the doorway, still wearing her red dress from last night. Her hair was messy, makeup smudged, but her eyes were sharp.
And they were fixed on my shoulder.
I looked down. The fabric had slipped, exposing the edge of the mark.
"Well, well, sister." Tessa's voice was cold, calculating. "Quite the mess you have made."
I yanked the fabric up, covering the mark. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you. Mother was worried you'd do something stupid." She stepped inside, closing the door. Her eyes never left where the mark was hidden. "Though it looks like you already have."
"I don't want to talk to you."
"Too bad." She moved closer, and I backed up instinctively. "Show me."
"No."
"Sage." Her voice took on fake sweetness. "I'm trying to help you. Whatever that mark is, people will ask questions. And you know how Mother feels about you bringing shame to the family."
"I don't care what Victoria thinks."
"You should." Tessa grabbed my arm, her grip strong. "Because if she finds out you were marked by some random stranger, she'll declare you rogue. Strip you of everything, including your father's inheritance."
My blood ran cold. "She wouldn't."
"She absolutely would. You know she's been looking for a reason." Tessa's expression softened into false concern. "But I can help you. If you let me."
Every instinct screamed not to trust her. But she was right about Victoria.
Slowly, I let the fabric slip down, exposing the mark.
Tessa's eyes widened. She stepped closer, studying it with intense focus. Her fingers traced the pattern, and I flinched.
"This is..." She pulled out her phone, snapping photos before I could stop her. "This is a royal mark."
"What?"
"The pattern. The placement." She looked at me with something like awe mixed with envy. "Sage, whoever marked you isn't just anyone. This is the mark of someone incredibly powerful."
My stranger's words echoed. "When I find you again, it will be under the right circumstances."
"We need to hide this," Tessa said, suddenly urgent. "Now.”
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