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Butterflies filled my stomach It almost sounded like he’d been about to say “ that had come over me when he bitme as his I kneasn’t an actual claim, but I had felt the sentiment
I went ahead and filled in the blank “A mate?”
“Yes,” he said softly
“So if you clai?”
“If a shifter claims someone, that person usually becomes their mate The reason is because it usually happens inand blind love, and the couple then needs to figure out what to do about it The effects of clai are forever A person can be claimed by multiple parties, but the scent of each is always there However,does It really just needs the agree didn’t happen before the , then it will traditionally happen after to further establish their agreement”
“If I were clai his teeth along my neck I shivered but continued, “I’d smell like all five?”
“Yes”
“And that’s it?” I asked “You just bite me on the shoulder, and I’m claimed?”
“No With on’s help, I…secrete sounds bad, but… I secrete a pheromone that will soak into your skin It’ll ensure my scent weaves in with yours Other shifters will know you’ve been claimed That you are mine, and if they flirt or touch you or…whatever, it is a challenge against me”
“And you’ll…”
“Kill therowled “Swiftly With pleasure”
I bit my lip That admission shouldn’t have been so hot “And then, what, you just get to flirt your way through the castle?”
“You would mark me, too, if you wanted to lay a claim on me”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
He adjusted his position uncomfortably “A mate’s mark isn’t alelcomed”
“People lay it on others against their will?”
“No That is forbidden The punishhta true connection So to ensure she doesn’t bed anyone but him, and she does not desire to return the mark”
“Your uessed
“Correct, and it was a source of great contention because it showed the world that she did not want hi else He tried to beat her into doing it, and she would not”
“He beat her?”
His expression turned hard and rage lit his eyes “Yes Another dark secret She tried to hide the bruises, but I have excellent eyesight I could see her bruised face in the garden when I was locked in the tower She did not bend, though I respected her more for it I just wished I could’ve helped her”