She freezes, and our gazes collide. And for the first time, I realize that perhaps Angelo was right. It is difficult to hold onto my anger in the face of her beauty. As my fingers drift down to the beating pulse in her throat, I can’t decide if I want to kiss her or strangle her.

“Never hide your defects from me,” I tell her. “They are mine to enjoy now.”

“But… I hate it.” Her voice wavers.

A hollow laugh echoes from my chest. “Perhaps I quite like it.”

She seems taken aback by my strange response, as am I. My grip tightens, and then I release her. I don’t understand what she’s doing to me.

“Please,” she begs, her hand hovering near her hair.

“You seem to be under the impression that you can do as you like,” I answer coldly. “Do I need to remind you of the basic rules of The Society? The rules you swore an oath to?”

She sucks in a sharp breath and unconsciously curls into herself. She understands the meaning of my words quite clearly.

“I don’t need a reminder,” she answers softly.

“Yet, you will receive one regardless.”

Outside, I can hear the footsteps of members passing into the courtyard. The marking ceremony is set to begin momentarily. But I have a promise to keep, so it will have to wait. I open the door and gesture for Ivy.

She steps out of the car and lets out a small shriek when I hoist her up over my shoulder, her bare feet dangling beneath the fabric of her dress. We receive a few curious glances as I enter the courtyard and veer away from the chair and table waiting for her in the center. My footsteps are swift and certain as they echo down the corridor to the small, private chapel for members only.

The door creaks shut as I step inside and stalk toward the altar, where I deposit my disobedient wife onto her feet. A warm red glow from the glass votives illuminates her face as she dares a glance up at me. Frustration breeds my dark desires, blood coursing violently toward my cock and hardening it to the point of pain.

I have thought about punishing her since the temptation of marrying her sowed itself in my mind. Patience has been the only virtue I’ve possessed since the explosion. The notion that someday, every Moreno would suffer as I have. So it is difficult for me to reconcile that more than anything, right now, I want to feel her.

Once will not be enough to satiate my needs tonight. Her scent intoxicates me. The warmth of her flesh beckons me in the strangest way. I need… something from her, but I can’t even be sure what it is.