Page 159 of Knot Your Fated M.U.S.E.

"I'm gonna go change then 'cause fuck, I really do want her dessert."

The declaration draws a pained groan from Vale, who shoots Kieran a side-eye that quickly transforms into an unreadable face.

His expression shifts from playful annoyance to shocked confusion, brow furrowing as if trying to process something that defies explanation.

"Vale?" The change in his demeanor pulls my attention fully to him, the shadows stirring with sudden interest at this unexpected shift in the atmosphere.

Kieran picks up on the tension, his own amusement fading as he studies Vale's face.

"What's up, Vale?"

The silence stretches uncomfortably as Vale continues staring, blinking repeatedly as if trying to clear his vision. His hand rises to rub at his eyes before he whispers.

"It's gone?"

"What's gone? My shirt?" Kieran's attempt at humor falls flat against Vale's obvious distress.

Dante chooses this moment to return, his dramatic entrance accompanied by a frustrated groan.

"Forgot the fucking keys." He pauses, catching the strange tension in the room. "What'd I miss?"

Vale's attention snaps to him.

"Dante, what do you see?"

The question draws Dante's gaze between Kieran and me, his response starting with characteristic snark.

"Our hot Goddess of an Omega and Kieran the douch—" The words die in his throat as his jaw drops, shock painting his features with the same confusion that grips Vale.

The shadows weave through my mind with the growing tension in the room, their song carrying notes of anticipation and wonder rather than their usual warnings.

Kieran glances down at himself, hands patting his torso as if checking for invisible wounds.

"Am I fully naked or something?"

"What's the deal?" I ask, eyes scanning his shirtless form for whatever has captured their attention. "He's not naked. Just shirtless." My gaze searches for any mark or scar that might explain their reaction. "Is something supposed to be there?"

The question draws a heavy sigh from Kieran as his hand rises to rub at his neck – a gesture that seems more habit than necessity.

"It's just my old bond mark and lack of muscle since I haven't been working out." His voice carries forced casualnessthat doesn't quite mask deeper pain. "You don't need the long story now, but I had an Omega I thought I'd marry and have kids with."

That’s surprising more with the way he nonchalantly says it, but the instances do make sense, especially when they’re all well over their thirties and probably expected to have an Omega by now.

"All of it was a lie and she betrayed us. Almost got everyone killed." His laugh carries no humor. "But karma's a bitch and she paid the consequence. She died, and I’m just left with the scar from that failed bondship, if you can call it that. The end."

The brief tale leaves me gawking, surprised by both the content and the clipped delivery. But something doesn't add up – my enhanced vision catches no trace of scarring or marks on his neck where a bond bite should have left permanent evidence.

"Kieran." My head tilts as confusion deepens. "You don't have a mark on your neck. Why would you say there's one there?"

The remark hits him with confusion, sending all three alphas into various states of shock. Vale's hands tighten on his wheelchair arms while Dante takes an unconscious step forward. Kieran's reaction proves most telling – his face drains of color as his fingers press against skin that should carry permanent scarring.

"What do you mean there's no mark?" Kieran's voice emerges rough with emotion. "It's been there for seven years. A visible reminder of everything she—" He cuts himself off, turning to Vale. "You can't see it either?"

Vale shakes his head slowly, wonder and confusion warring in his expression.

"It's completely gone, brother. Like it was never there."

"Impossible." The word escapes Dante in a harsh whisper. "Bond marks don't just vanish. They're permanent. A physicalmanifestation of the connection, even when it's betrayed or broken."

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