He didn’t know why he confided in her when it went against his nature. But before he could stop himself, the truth came pouring out. “We were attacked by a group of outlaw humans in the forest. They shot an arrow. Dare didn’t see it, but I did. I shoved him out of the way and took it for him.”

She winced as she understood what had happened. “The pain made you change forms.”

Fury nodded. “He knew as soon as I fell down. I tried to stop him before he reached the village, but by the time I got there, my mother had already been told.”

The rest she remembered with crystal clarity. She’d heard the shouting and had gone to the main hall where they’d all gathered. Fury had been bleeding, but he was still in human form.

Dare had shoved him at their mother. “He’s a fucking wolf, Mum. I saw it.”

Bryani had grabbed Fury by the hair. “Tell me the truth. Are you a Katagari?”

Fury’s gaze had gone to Angelia’s. Pain, shame, and torment had shone deep in his eyes. But it was the pleading look there that had taken her breath. He’d silently begged her to stand with him.

“Answer me!” His mother had demanded.

“I’m a wolf.”

They’d set on him with a vengeance so fierce that she found it hard to believe that she’d ever taken part in it. But there, in that moment …

She was such a fool.

“Will you ever trust me again?” she asked him.

He took her marked palm into his hand. “Do I have a choice?”

“Yes, you do. This only means I can bear your children. It has nothing to do with our hearts.”

Fury sighed. No, it didn’t. His parents hated one another. Even now all they did was plot each other’s murders.

“If you can lay aside your hatred of my kind, I’m willing to forget the past.”

Angelia looked around the room. “I will have to live here in your time, won’t I?”

“Do you really think you can go home wearing the mark of a Katagari?”

He was right. They’d destroy her.

Fury stepped away to give her space. “You have three weeks to decide if you can live with me.”

“I don’t need three weeks, Fury. I agreed to den down with you, and so I have. I will even bond with you.”

Anger sparked in his eyes at her suggestion. “No, you won’t. I have too many enemies who want me dead. I won’t bond your life force to mine. It’s too dangerous.”