*Hale*
I tried to be subtle as I studied her. The bruise on her temple looked much worse than it had this morning. There were clear bruises in the shape of fingers around her throat and I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
I would strangle the life out of whoever did this to her. I would turn this city over until I found the scum that assaulted my mate.
The word still felt almost like a curse.
I had known, somewhere deep down, that she was my mate from the moment I saw her. It was becoming more and more evident, more and more undeniable as time went on. With every encounter, my feelings for her grew until it felt almost painful to be away from her. I struggled to imagine another person's hands on her, violently or otherwise. I yearned for her until I could find no peace from my l
