I Hardly Needed Saving

Marked

  Seth's been kept out of the room until midnight.

It's 11:50.

My heart pounds—wild, desperate. All I want is Seth.

I hear him fighting his way in—banging on the door, growls in his chest.

I jump.

I feel like I'm not even in my body, like I'm watching from above.

Suddenly, pain strikes. My body twists, arches, burns.

For five minutes, it's agony—then it stops.

Blankets twist in my fists as waves of ecstasy and pure passion shoot through me.

My core burns, aching for only one thing.

"Mmmmmm... Seth!"

I bite my lip hard, tasting blood—trying not to scream his name again.

I need him. I weep for him to take me—to mark me.

The door bursts open.

There he is.

Seth. Eyes black, chest heaving, shirt already off.

His stomach... exposed and glistening.

Hot, heavy breaths. His chest rising.

I lay there, heart racing a thousand miles a minute, as he undoes the strings on my robe, exposing me completely.

He climbs on top of me.

I pull his pants off, needing him closer.

We stare into each other's eyes.

"Let me meet my wolf, Lyla," he says.

I nod, relaxing.

"She wants to meet her wolf."

Seth exhales and relaxes, eyes dark.

"Mike?"

"Mmm... Myra," he murmurs. "You're still as beautiful as you were a thousand years ago."

"Still a charmer, I see."

"Myra, I've missed you. I searched the world for a soul worthy of us—and I found Seth. He loves Lyla... more than a wolf ever has. He'd do anything for her."

"I searched too," Myra replies. "But once I felt Lyla's soul—how dark and cold it was with that bastard Eddie—I knew there was more. I had to bring it out. Her soul is pure, and now... she's a warrior. A future pack leader. I'll train her well. She loves Seth as deeply as he loves her. She can't bear to see him in pain. I just hope... this battle ends well for them both. I've waited so long to find you, Mike."

Mike chuckles. "I bet they don't even realize they're having sex right now."

"They don't. I made sure she won't remember this. She wanted her first time to be more than just 'mark and done.'"

"Oh..."

"She's picky," Myra laughs softly. "But I love her."

"We love her too, Myra."

Myra grows quiet.

"It's time, Mike. Tell Seth... mark her."

⸻

Pain... then pleasure.

Teeth sink into my neck.

I return to my body, gasping.

Seth is over me, eyes locked on mine.

I black out as he pulls away, the mark burning into my skin.

⸻

Morning.

Sunlight streams in.

My head rests on Seth's chest, his arms wrapped around me.

My thighs ache... my heart soars.

We did it.

Seth stirs, then pulls me into his lap, kissing my shoulder.

I smile, completely content.

I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

With Seth... I'm happy. Safe.

I'm on a cloud I never want to fall off.

I've accepted it.

I'm his—and he's mine.

⸻

The door slams open.

All the guys rush in.

"Seth! He's coming! Eddie's coming for Lyla!"

Rage explodes through me.

My heart pounds. My skin shatters and falls away—

What?!

I'm on the floor.

I... transformed.

Everyone stares at me.

Seth grins wide, still on the bed.

I stumble to a mirror.

Eyes closed, trembling, I slowly open them.

I gasp.

I'm pure white, glowing.

A gray stripe runs down my chest—shaped like a sharp diamond.

I'm a wolf.

"A very beautiful wolf," Myra says softly.

I smile.

"Myra... what do we do?"

"We'll figure it out, sweets. Don't fret. You're the strongest wolf in the world. I'm sure it won't be hard to defeat Eddie's pack."

"He has a pack?" I whisper.
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Lyla's transformed—and her battle with Eddie and his pack is about to begin! Are YOU ready to see her unleash her true warrior power? COMMENT if you want a full-on wolf battle showdown next or a strategy scene with the pack!
—Heather 💜