His gorgeous green eyes met mine, and my whole world stilled. The only thing that can be heard was my stupid heart beating a million times a minute. I had no idea what to do or what to say, but I knew that he was mine, and I was his. We were mates. I looked down, feeling a bit embarrassed, when I heard him say, "Keep her in the dungeon. I will deal with this problem later."

She's a young doctor. He's an Alpha born to lead a hidden community. "I need to explain the mate bond," he said. Her heart stopped. Literally skipped. "Oh," she said faintly. "That." He didn't look away, but he did lean back, giving her space-as if preparing for her to bolt. "You know we imprint," he said quietly. "You know our instincts take over when the bond gets strong. But you don't know what finalizes it." She swallowed. "Okay." "There's..." He hesitated, and that was a first. William didn't fumble words. "There's a bite involved." She stared. Blink. Blink. Wait- A bite? "As in-like-a literal bite?" she asked, voice tight. "Yes." "On my neck?" "Yes." "You bite me." "Yes." Her blood turned to ice. He continued carefully, like each word risked sending her sprinting for the door. "It's not violent. It's not meant to hurt. It's a mark-a bond-seal. It connects us on every level. Emotionally. Physically. Through our wolves." "I don't have a wolf," she snapped. His jaw flexed. "I know."