Chapter 9: Terms

Cade carried me into the Pine Hall common room, and I made him put me down on the second step.

"I can walk," I said.

"You can't."

"I'm going to, and then I'm going to yell at you."

He set me on my feet with his hands hovering at my elbows, ready to catch me.

Tilly appeared at the foot of the stairs with a blanket and a glowing face.

She had just seen the best night of her life.

"I'll be in the kitchen," she said. "Not listening. Loudly."

She went.

The common room was empty, and the fire was low.

I turned and put a finger in the middle of Cade's chest.

"You bit me," I said. "In front of four hundred people. Without asking."

"I know."

"You didn't even say a word first."

"I said hold on."

"That is not asking."

He looked at the floor.

"It wasn't a choice," he said. "My wolf made it."

"Then your wolf can apologize."

"He won't."

I laughed in spite of myself, a harsh, short breath.

"You called me a bruise this afternoon," I said. "Now I'm your mark. Which is it?"

His jaw worked.

"Both," he said.

I pulled my collar aside and looked at it.

His teeth had left a ring on my shoulder.

It was dark pink and already healing, and the silver light under it was almost gone.

"What does it do?" I asked.

"It tells every Alpha in Thornfield you're under my protection."

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