Marcus studied her, the moonlight casting silver across her skin, the lace of her mask catching just enough light to keep her hidden—and yet somehow, familiar.
There was something about her presence that tugged at him, quiet but relentless.
He didn’t know why, but it was the same feeling he’d had that day—the day Lena left.
Back then, it had struck him without warning; a pull in his chest, a flicker of something more. He hadn’t understood it at the time—only that something important had slipped through his fingers, and he hadn’t been able to stop it.
Now, standing here with this masked stranger, the feeling returned. Not exactly the same, but stronger. His wolf recognized the pull now.
“Mate,” Shadow said softly.
Marcus felt a stinging pain in his chest, so Lena was his mate… and h
