章 12: To mark you

My mate?

Melissa was astounded to hear those affectionate words from Radulf's mouth.

Trapped between him and the door, his body pressed so firmly against hers that even the thought of moving seemed impossible. His warm breath fanned over her neck, stirring an unease of fear and exhilaration in her. This wasn't the Radulf she knew. The Radulf she knew despised her with every fiber of his being.

'Is this his wolf taking over? Has he forgotten who I am?' she wondered, confusion and curiosity warring within her.

Yet, beneath the layers of shock, a flicker of excitement surfaced. She was his mate. The bond she always wanted to hear from him suddenly disclosed like this. In his rut, he was speaking the truth, which he always wanted to hide from her.

"Am I really your mate?" she whispered, her gaze fixated on the door while wanting to confirm once again if she had heard it right.