KAIA'S POV
The words hit me like physical blows. Mate. The most sacred bond between werewolves. A bond that can't be broken, can't be undone.
"You had no right!" I roar, my voice echoing off the stone walls of his den.
Ronan stands tall, unmoving, the blood still wet on his lips, eyes glowing faintly with the remnants of the Frenzy. His presence fills the space—broad-shouldered, powerful, radiating dominance like wildfire in dry grass.
"I know," he says, his voice gravel-deep, edged with something dark. Regret? No—control. "But I will not apologize for instinct. For claiming what's mine."
My fingers fly to the mark on my neck, the tender skin pulsing with heat. With his energy.
"You lost control," I spit. "You destroyed my life!"
He steps forward, slow, deliberate. "I marked you, Kaia. As my mate. As the moon goddess intended."
"You stole my choice!" I cry, voice cracking. "You didn't even ask me! You just took—like I was nothing!"
His jaw tightens, the muscle twitching. "You think I wanted it this way? That I planned this? The Frenzy overtook me—I fought it, Kaia. But when I saw those men touching you—when I scented your fear—I snapped. No Alpha watches his destined mate get pawed by filth and walks away."
"Don't you dare make this about protecting me!" My voice rises with fury. "You made a decision I can never undo. I'm marked now. I belong to you whether I want to or not!"
"You don't belong to me," he growls. "You're mine. There's a difference. And I’m yours whether you want me or not—that’s what the bond means."
"You're unbelievable," I whisper. Panic claws at my throat. "I can’t even be with another man now. Not ever. My body won't respond to anyone but you."
"I know," he says, low and unapologetic. "That’s the cost. And I’ll carry it with you, whether you hate me or not."
I shake my head, eyes burning. "And everyone will know. They'll see the mark and know I'm claimed. Like I'm your damned property."
"You’re not property," he growls. "You’re my mate. Sacred. Mine to protect. Mine to honor. Mine to burn for."
"You didn’t ask for permission," I snap. "You didn’t give me a chance."
A long silence stretches between us. Then, to my shock, he says: "You're right."
The words hang heavy in the air.
"You deserved a choice," he continues, voice rough. "You deserved a courtship. A bond born of trust, not instinct. But I can't undo what’s been done."
I stare at him, cold and unrelenting. "I will never sleep with you. Mark or no mark. I’ll never give myself to you willingly."
His eyes flash, and for a heartbeat, something wild rises in him. But he reins it in. Barely.
"You think that’s what I want?" he growls. "To force you into my bed? You insult us both."
"You already forced me into something permanent!" I shout.
"No," he snaps, stepping closer, his presence crushing. "I claimed what was mine before it could be taken from me. Because watching you with another man would’ve killed me. Because when I saw you tonight, vulnerable, surrounded, something primal woke up—and it wouldn’t stop until you were safe. Marked."
I recoil, breathing hard. "That’s not love. That’s obsession."
"Maybe," he says, unflinching. "But I won't apologize for protecting what's mine."
"You think this is protection?" I whisper, shaking. "You think stripping me of choice is love?"
"No," he says quietly. "But I couldn’t watch another man touch you. I won’t ever watch that again."
That’s when it snaps. That last thread holding me together.
"Don’t you dare use your Alpha voice on me!" I scream, shoving past him.
He grabs my arm—gentle, but firm. Alpha-strong. Unmovable.
"Let me go!" I sob. "Please, Ronan, let me go!"
"I can’t," he says, voice strained. "Not like this. You’re upset. You’re not thinking clearly—"
"I’m thinking clearly for the first time!" My voice breaks. "You took away everything! My future. My choice. My vow!"
"Kaia—"
"You hurt me!" I scream. "Just like they hurt her."
His brow furrows. "What are you talking about?"
I stare at him, the storm building inside. "Five years ago. My sister. Kelly."
His eyes darken. "What—"
"She was raped, Ronan!" My voice is ice and fire. "She was fourteen. And she whispered one name before she died. Duskmore."
He goes pale. "Kaia—no."
"Was it you?" I whisper, barely able to speak. "Was it you?"
"Gods, no!" he growls, the denial ripping from his chest. "I would never—"
"How do I know that?" I sob. "You already proved you're capable of taking what you want without permission!"
"I’m not that monster!" he shouts. "I have never—never—forced a female. Not in Frenzy. Not ever. Especially not a child!"
"But you took me," I whisper. "And now I don’t know what to believe."
Ronan stares at me, agony etched in every hard line of his face.
"I’ll prove it," he says finally, voice iron. "I’ll find whoever hurt your sister. I swear it by the moon."