Chapter 12: Mark Me

Pia Tollefson sat at the end of Roe's kitchen table with her coat still on, and she did not touch the tea.

The chicken casserole steamed between us.

Roe stood by the stove with his arms folded.

I sat across from her in his flannel with my hair in a wet towel, and I let her take her time.

"My grandmother has never believed it," Pia said at last. "The saying. The bond mends. She doesn't believe a word."

I put down my cup.

"She had a sister," Pia said. "Her older sister."

"She got sick, the same way you did. Her bond lit at the Hunter's Moon. It did nothing. And the Council read the clause."

"They released her?"

"They made her mate give her up, in the grange hall, in front of everyone."

"She went to live in a house in Viroqua alone, and she died there in the spring."

Her voice shook.

"My grandmother was nineteen. She sat in the second row and said nothing."

"She told me that herself, once, when I was twelve. She said the worst thing she ever did was stay quiet."

Roe's arms came down.

"Then why is she doing it to Elke?"

"Because she's decided that's how it's done." Pia looked up with wet eyes.

"She'd rather be right than be sorry. And she wants me in your house, Alpha. She's wanted it since I was twelve."

"I don't want it."

"I know you don't. Neither do I."

She took a breath.

"I came to say I'll stand up on Sunday."

"I'll tell the hall I'm not going to be presented. And I'll tell them about her sister."

I sat there with my mouth open.

"Why?" I said.

"Because I was in the second row too," said Pia. "Not literally. But I've been in it my whole life."

She pushed the casserole an inch toward me.

"Eat something. You look cold."

After she was gone I sat very still.

Roe sat down in her chair, and for a while neither of us said a word.

"Tomorrow," I said.

"Tomorrow."

"I want a night first."

"Anything."

"I want your mark."

His eyes came up.

In the pack the mating bite is a custom, not a rule.

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