Page List

Font Size:

“There is no way in hell you’re leaving a claim on me if I can’t kiss you after.”

“Oh.” I felt a smile on my lips. Well.Duh. That made sense.

After it was off, I shifted to the edge of the bed, tugging him with me. He didn’t argue as I led him into the closet and dragged him down and onto the floor. It was darker here. Calmer. The scents from the room—from Knox—felt buried deeper. More permanent. Immovable. This was his house, after all.

I dug around in Bunny’s pouch, finding the stuffing hole and prying out Glade’s flip knife.

Then I peered at him, eyes roaming his body until they fell on the thick muscle along his neck. I fumbled with the top few buttons until I had better access.

Perfect.

Now I was here, I needed to leave another mark—a tell that couldn’t be undone.

The moment the blade drew its first bead of blood, the world went still at last. I took a breath, ink and antique wood stronger now with the tang of iron in the air.

My breathing eased, the fog fading from the world, rich crimson blood turning brighter with every second that I dragged the knife across his skin.

There.

Now everything’s as bright as rain, Bunny.

“Good girl,” Knox purred, and a warmth spread in my chest as I glanced up into his intense caramel eyes. “Keep going.”

Mhmm.

I focused on the next stroke of the knife, crossing the ‘+’ I was leaving on the side of his neck.

“Tonight, where are we going?”

Dark clouds flooded my brain at his question, the warm bubble of air in my chest deflating. I froze, heart racing, first mark finished as I stared at his blank skin.

Unfinished.

Ihadto finish it, or it wouldn’t make sense. I narrowed my eyes, taking another breath. Warmth. Peace. My Alpha and nothing else.

I’d barely made a scratch when he asked the foul question again.

My hand shook, another low growl rattling to life in my chest.

Why was he ruining this?

“Tell me.” His command seized me with no ceremony, as vulnerable as I was in my skin-cutting ritual.

“Bella’s home.” The name escaped my lips half strangled. For a moment, I considered driving the knife all the way in. He’d never mess with this process again if I did that.

“And you’re leaving her a message?”

I scowled. “She won’t see it.” My mark would be clear, but his collar would hide the full details—those were for us.

“If you thought that was impossible, you’d have no reason to do it now and not later,” Knox said.

Another whine slipped from me.

I hate him, Bunny.

“Why are you being such a cunt?” I asked.

Not the sharpest crayon in the box, is he, Bunny? Saying horrible shit when I have a knife an inch from his jugular.