Unmarked by Love novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Willow’s POV

Footsteps echoed behind me. A werewolf’s sense of smell was too sharp for his own good; the scent of blood had drawn Rowan straight to me.

“Why is the smell so strong?”

He grabbed my wrist and spun me around. When he saw the gashes on my arm, a flash of complicated emotion crossed his face.

“Did you… do this last night?”

He knew, of course. Without an Alpha’s pheromones to balance the bond, a human’s fragile body wouldn’t survive the backlash of a full moon. The only way to stay conscious was through extreme physical pain.

I was lucky. I didn’t die. The only thing that perished was my delusional hope for us.

I pulled my arm back with a sharp tug. “It’s nothing. I’m used to it.”

My words seemed to flip a switch in him. He lunged forward, his Alpha aura slamming down on me like a ton of bricks. “Are you blaming me for not being there? Is this some kind of tantrum?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, keeping my head down.

He reached over and killed the faucet, his rough fingers catching my chin and forcing me to look up. “Water is bad for the wounds. Stop cleaning and get back to your room.”

It was that same arrogant “mercy” again. I stood my ground, staring at the pile of unwashed venison in the sink, refusing to budge.

After a tense silence, he let out a cold snort, as if laughing at my pathetic attempt at defiance. “Have it your way.”

He turned to leave, but stopped at the kitchen door. He didn’t look back, and his voice was so low it was almost a whisper.

“Next full moon… I’ll be with you,’

I didn’t say a word. There wasn’t going to be a next time for us.

0.00%

15:48

Chapter 2

The packhouse was as gloomy as ever. Silas was busy making his rounds, lighting the old candelabras.

288 Vouchers

I carried my own lamp and pulled back the heavy black velvet curtains, watching the lights of the subway line flicker past in the distance.

Only a few more days, and I’d be free.

Rowan had always been embarrassed by my humanity. Aside from my job at the subway, he never let me leave the estate or meet other wolves.

But Lyra was different-she was high-born.

She walked past, her arm looped through Rowan’s, her voice as bright as a songbird.

“Rowan, the manor is so stuffy. I want to go out tomorrow, maybe soak up some sun.”

Rowan looked down at her, his eyes softening into a warm, deep pool. “Anything you want,” he murmured.

I stood in the shadows, my hand instinctively drifting to the mark on my

neck.

Years ago, back when I was still trying to adapt to this caged life, I had begged him to take me out for a walk.

What had he said back then?

He had gripped my chin and told me I was his pet-and his weakness.

In the eyes of rival packs, a defenseless human was nothing but a target.

“Follow the rules and stay on the territory,” he had said coldly. “It’s the only way you’ll stay alive.”

I never asked again.

Lyra pulled Rowan over to me and asked with a beaming smile if I wanted to join them.

I froze, my grip tightening on the candlestick. I kept my head down. “I’ll stay behind and get dinner ready for you both.”

Her smile faltered, a flicker of regret crossing her face. Rowan caught her shift in mood and immediately barked an order.

“You’re coming, too. Pack some sandwiches and bring them down to the lake.”

He looked at me then, finally noticing how bloodless my lips were.

30.47%

15:48

Chapter 2

288 Vouchers

His gaze flickered, and his tone softened slightly, though it still sounded like an act of charity.

“You look like hell. I don’t need your scent to stabilize me right now, so take it easy.”

Lyra, playing the perfect hostess, grabbed my hand. “Come on! The weather has been beautiful lately.”

The softness of her touch caught me off guard. I didn’t notice the hot wax dripping down the side of the candlestick.

Rowan’s eyes went cold. Moving like lightning, he snatched Lyra’s hand away from mine.

Hot wax splashed onto my fingertips. It didn’t even hurt; I just watched their intertwined hands and silently switched the lamp to my other side.

“I’ll go get things ready, then.”

In the kitchen, as I rinsed the burn under cold water, I looked at the calendar. I drew a circle on it.

Three more circles, and the contract would be up.

Three days from midnight, a tiny crack would form in the bond-the only chance a human ever had to wipe a mark away on their own.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify