Cursed

Dark and Light

Scarlett

My neck was stiff when I woke this morning. A heavy arm slung across my waist. I gently touched the area that had been marked. It was fully healed, leaving behind the mark. I didn't know what the mark was. It was unique to every wolf. Their marks often represent their relationship, their connection. My mother and father had a beautiful mark. Theirs was of two paws, merging. After my father died, my mother's mark faded until, over time, it vanished. I itched to see my mark. 

Cole groaned slightly, pulling me closer to his chest. He took a deep breath, smelling our now combined scent. It was sweet yet still held the familiar spicy cinnamon. I, too, bathed in the scent. It meant we were one. There was one final stage of being mates that we haven't completed yet. That was the more intimate side of the relationship. My wolf woke at the thought. 

I grasped Cole's arm, fireworks dancing across my fingers. I slipped out from underneath it and swung my legs off the edge of the bed. My toes curled into the fluffy carpet. I was still dressed in last night's clothes. My hair was a tangled mess. I was halfway across the room when Cole stirred.

"Where do you think you're going, little one?" His voice was thick with sleep. I looked at him over my shoulder before nodding towards the bathroom. He acknowledged my answer before rolling onto his front. 

I locked the door behind me, running straight to the large mirror above the sink. There, I pushed my light, tangled hair away from my neck to reveal my mark. It sat just above my shoulder. I traced every feature of it. There were two wolves, one was a smoky black and the other a dazzling silver. They stood, facing each other, their noses just touching. Both of them had wisps surrounding them. One dark and one light. I ran my fingers over the mark, pausing on the lighter wolf. I wasn't sure which wolf represented me. 

After a few more minutes of staring at the mark that adorned my skin, I got ready. I tried my hardest to sort myself out, showering but changing back into my old clothes. I brushed my teeth with a spare brush and used Cole's comb to work out the tangles in my hair. I swept my hair up into a braid, allowing my new mark to be on full display. A few wisps of blonde hair curled around my face. 

Cole was sitting at the end of the bed, his clothes from last night gone, replaced by a pair of clean joggers. I gazed at his muscled stomach, my eyes drifting up to where his mark sat on beautifully bronzed skin. It was identical to mine. It was perfect. He looked up from his phone, green eyes landing on my mark. 

I stood still as he walked towards me. His rough fingertips ran along my mark as he hummed. I pulled his hand away. Coles' attention moved back to me as he bent down and kissed my lips. It was passionate, full of love. It started tender, more of a caress. Then it became hard, hungry. I allowed him to take control, his hand wrapping around my throat as he pulled me closer. My wolf purred. But as quickly as it started, it stopped. Cole pulled away, darkening eyes looking down at me. 

"I'm sorry, little one. I have much to do today, and Chelsea has messaged you asking if you are free." I quirked a brow at him. I hadn't given Chelsea my number last night, I was sure of it. Cole smiled.

"I gave her your number. You two seemed to get along." I nodded, stepping out of his reach. Cole watched as I reached for my phone. 

Chelsea had sent multiple texts. All asking if I was free and if I enjoyed last night. I let a laugh slip out as the texts continued. I haven't had a friend who was so interested in me. There was Sam, but that was different. He was more than a friend. My heart ached at the thought of Sam. Cole growled loudly. 

"You better not be thinking of another man whilst wearing my mark, little wolf." His black eyes danced from my face to my mark. I tucked my phone away, facing Cole fully. There was no anger leaving him, only slight amusement. My wolf leapt forward, wanting to play with her mate.

"Are you jealous, alpha?" My voice was sickly sweet, and I ran a hand across his chin. Cole looked down at me, clasping my wrist in an iron grip. My wolf continued her challenge, her eyes never dropping from his. 

"You are all mine, little wolf. No man can take you from me. My mark makes that clear. You are with me always." His voice was husky as he brought my hand to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss to the centre of my palm before stepping away. My wolf shivered at the distance between us.