Tabitha’s POV

My lips part, but no sound comes out.

“Own me?” I almost choke on the words. “What the hell do you mean own me? You don’t own me! No one owns me, Jace. Stop spouting nonsense!”

His smirk doesn’t falter. “I may like to joke most of the time, but I don’t joke when it comes to mate bonds. It is a sacred connection that the Moon Goddess herself bestows to us Lycans.”

I shake my head frantically, refusing to believe what I’m hearing. “No. No, this can’t be happening. Not now. Not when I’m still—” My chest tightens. “I’m still too far from figuring out how to...