“I can’t,”I say again.
“You can. We are strong. Together, we can break the curse.”
I shake my head. Fear ripples through me.
“You can mark me first. That’s how strongly I know that we are mates. If you mark me first, and I’m not your mate, then I’ll be the one to die, not you. Trust me.”
“I do. I trust you with every part of me. I trust you completely.”
“Then shift. Accept the bond.”
A tear rolls down my cheek. If there was ever a time to gain my wolf, now would be it. I look up at the moon.Please,I plead with it.
But nothing happens.
I look back to Ambrose.
“I can’t shift. I never gained my wolf.”
His eyes widen. Even in his wolf form, I can tell the shock ripples through him.
“No, then how can you be my mate? This can’t be true. You seem so strong. How could I have been so fooled?”
Suddenly, Ambrose’s head snaps in Nyx’s direction.
Nyx snickers, as if he knows exactly what’s happening.
I wrap my arms around my naked body, unsure of what to do or how to save myself.
Ambrose shifts back into human form. “What did you do, Nyx? What half-breed did you offer?”
“Lumi is full wolf,” he responds.
“A wolf who can’t shift isn’t a full-blooded wolf,” Ambrose snarls at Nyx, moving to him in an instant and grabbing him by the throat. He could squeeze the life out of him with the closing of his hand.
“Who is she? She’s not even Bloodmoon, is she?” he rages.
Nyx looks bored. No fear marks his eyes even though Ambrose is far larger than him and has his canines awfully close to his throat.
“No,” Nyx says.
My pulse races. He’s going to tell Ambrose the truth, that I’m from Wintermoon. I have no doubt the alphas will rip me apart in punishment for my pack causing the curse.
“I found her wandering in the woods. I scented her wolf, but she had no alpha to draw from to help her shift. I’m sure as soon as she’s initiated into a pack, she’ll be able to shift.”
Nyx chuckles and continues his explanation.
“I sensed her power, just as you do, and I knew she had to be my offering. And I was right—she’s your mate, Ambrose.”
Ambrose growls.
Then all eyes snap to me. I don’t know why Nyx lied. I don’t know what he thinks he can gain by hiding my secret. I’m sure it’s for nefarious reasons, and I don’t trust him.
“Leave after the ceremony finishes if you want to live.” Ambrose releases Nyx and then turns to me.
Ambrose’s gaze on me has me hot and bothered and aching with lust-filled desire for him. Mate or not, wolf shifter or not, I need him to fuck me—now.
Ambrose’s eyes widen in fear as he looks at me, and I’m not sure why.
