“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” I make sure to hold eye contact with Sayda as I hold her mate’s pup in my arms. The corners of my mouth pull upwards slightly.

There is a brutality in the way Keegan picks up Kalla. His powerful hands find her, fingers dig into her fleshy sides. His teeth slide into the soft part of her neck, where males mark females. He sinks himself to a depth that will leave a part of himself inside her. I should not be a witness to this. She first whimpers until a long, slow moan exits her open mouth. Kalla’s breath is ragged, and I confess so is mine. It is unsettling to witness this marking.

"Paley, I want Sayda to share our bed tonight." Ryeson found the angle with those provoking words, and I watched Paley’s hands curl into fists, his mouth opening to reveal teeth.

It’s getting easier to ignore her because her hurt comes from being my mate. The skin has given up, but the Wild holds hope.

“I will get used to this?” I let the absolute disbelief filter through my words to leave behind a salty face.

“Keegan, you have me now.” Those silver eyes focus on my face while his lips expose a quiver.