Before she passed out, I saw a wolf, not hers because it was a white wolf and they’ve been gone for hundreds of years but a wolf all the same. She knows she needs help healing from my damage. “I need to heal,” was her last thought. Our connection is much stronger than anything I knew possible. I can’t imagine what will happen when we complete our union. Will I be able to hear all her thoughts? Will she hear mine?

Her eyelids flutter but don’t open. Her body curls tighter, making a small ball in my bed. Her knees almost touching her nose. Her hands curve protectively over the top of her legs. Using one finger, I gently stroke her cheek. Her eyes pop open, and she gasps, followed by a long groan. Immediately, I feel her pain. She pulls in a breath through her teeth and prepares to move her body. Her arms feel like they weigh a thousand pounds. Overused from holding the pole to protect herself from my assault. Her legs have cramps in her thighs and calves. The worst of her physical pain is her belly aches with a low, angry throb from my callous thrust. Her beautiful lips and the bruising not even registering. I know when she recalls every moment. She coughs on a sob she tries to hide.

Oh God, how could I do this? She pulls herself together and turns, looking for me. “Masen,” her voice grates out. She smiles then grimaces when her lip splits more. Licking the fresh blood away, she tries to sound cheerful. “Hey, Masen, my wolf needs a run. Can you go start the shower for me? I need to stretch a bit.” She lies. She doesn’t want me to see her stagger from the bed. “Did you want to run with me?” she asks then quickly adds, “It’s okay now, right? Since we’re Marked, he’ll be okay? I don’t think I’m ready for another round.” She tries to laugh.

“Sophia, stop, please.” Regret clear in my voice. She looks over my shoulder trying to figure out how to act. “I know,” I say quietly. She won’t look at me, she thinks I’m disappointed in her. I want to hold her so bad, but I’m afraid to touch her. “Look at me, Little One.” She does reluctantly after swallowing thickly. “I should have never let that happen, not when I knew it wasn’t about just us,” I say seriously, not wanting to bring Roxanne’s name into the discussion. I know she’ll understand what I mean. “I should have controlled myself. I made a mistake and went way too far. I know I hurt you in more ways than one.” Jesus, her eyes tell me everything our bond is already saying. She still thinks it’s her fault, that she should have listened to my warnings. Her body hurts, but that doesn’t concern her, she’s had worse. At that thought, I want to murder every motherfucker that ever touched her, including myself.