As a mated pair, it was only natural that Alex and I now wore our marks on our necks… and yet, it made me feel proud and slightly self-conscious each time someone stared at my neck. I was fairly sure he only felt pride contrarily to me. Indeed, since he had played the waiting game, it was understandable how he wasn't feeling any of my self-consciousness. Besides, marks were so common in the werewolf community that I was a bit of an odd one, according to mom that was.

Admittedly, I had much ...