The moment their lips met, a jolt of searing warmth shot through her. His whole body convulsed and a strangled sob caught in his throat - a half growl and a half sob.

She kissed him even harder, pouring every shred of hope and feeling into the kiss. She strongly believed that whatever had taken a hold of them would be broken away by the bond she had with him, and with the kiss, she could feel the sealed mate bond growing even stronger.

But through the mate bond, through the kiss, she began to ...