Hycinth inhaled sharply. Eyes still glued down to the floor, her chin went up, her neck extending to the fullest. It was the ultimate gesture of submission, a promise her life was in his paws, he could do with it whatever he chose.

My heart raced in my chest because now I suspected his next move. He was going to take what belonged to him. He was going to mark her!

I tried to slow him down, make him see reason. We still had no idea if Hycinth even planned to stay after the next three days.

But he wasn’t listening.

He’d fought…

…and now he would have his prize....