Kade's bite intensified unconsciously, his body recognizing on an instinctive level that he needed more of her blood, more of whatever miraculous property in her genetic makeup was saving his life. His ancient royal bloodline recognized hers, called to it, claimed it with the authority of power that predated modern pack structures by centuries.
But while Kade was experiencing miraculous healing, Dakota was going through something entirely different.
The moment his teeth broke her skin, the moment his royal blood mixed with hers through the claiming bite, fire exploded through Dakota's entire system.
Not the pleasant warmth of a normal mate bond forming. Not the gentle connection most wolves experienced when marked.
This was agony.
Pure, searing, burning agony that felt like her blood had been replaced with molten metal, like her veins were channels of liquid fire consuming her from the inside out.
