LANDON
"A curse. It has to be," I muttered to myself, watching Seraphina's chest rise and fall in slumber.
I'd carried her back to my chambers after the hot spring, laid her on my massive bed, and watched over her through the night. The temporary mating mark on her neck troubled me deeply. By now, it should have either faded completely or transformed into a permanent bond—not lingered in this in-between state.
*Something dark lurks within her,* Kaelen growled, pacing restlessly in my mind. *I sensed it when we bit her. Like a shadow blocking our claim.*
"I know," I replied, brushing my fingers over the mark. "Her ex-mate must have done this to her when he attacked her. Some kind of dark magic to bind her wolf away."
The thought of Vincent touching what was mine—hurting her, cursing her—made rage bubble up inside me. I would hunt him down and tear him apart slowly for every mark he'd left on her body and soul.
