90. Chapter Eighty-Nine
Chapter Eighty-Nine
Scarlett
Trick smiles when he looks at my sharpened teeth and it feels almost like he was expecting it to happen. Kian looks stunned once he notices and then excited a few seconds after he’s thought about it. He says what I’m thinking before I get the chance, and all I can do is confirm he’s right.
“I do,” I admit. “I don’t know if that’s normal, or …”
“Who cares?” Kian asks. “If it’s what you want, I’m in.”
“You’re an Alpha,” I remind him. “Isn’t taking a mark kind of like a sign of weakness, or something?”
“It’s not,” Trick says. “A mark is a sign of commitment. Nothing more or less.”
“Yeah. Alpha-holes will say it’s a sign of weakness but that’s because they don’t want to be marked. There’s only one reason not to, if you’ve found your mate.” Kian stops short of the reason, but it doesn’t take much imagination to figure it out.
It’s the same reason some men will take off their wedding ring when they’re around women they’re attracted to. It makes sense that they’d call it weakness to have a mark, because they’re projecting their own weakness when they talk about it.
“So, it’s normal, but guys don’t always want it?” I ask.
“Pretty much,” Trick says, giving me a sympathetic smile.
“Mark me, first,” Kian says, clearly eager.
So far, I’m not getting that same vibe from Trick.
I turn to him. “Would you wear my mark?”
He blinks at me. “Of course.”
“It feels like you’re not sure.”
“He is,” Kian assures me. “But he’s being a pain about it, so you should mark me first.”
“I’m not …” Trick sighs. “I want your mark. I’m just starting to worry over what’s gonna happen when Xane sees us in the morning.”
“Xane’s being an asshole.” Kian says. “Whatever happens, we’re on Scarlett’s side now.”
Oh God. I forgot about Xane. And Riley.
I forgot about Chaos Burning and Pack Orion.
“He’s worrying over nothing,” Kian assures me.
“I’m sorry,” Trick murmurs. “Kian’s right. It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing.”
I’d have to be stupid to think it was.
“It’s all gonna work out,” Kian tries again. “He felt something when you met. He’s just lost right now. He’s not completely himself so he can’t see the truth when it’s right in front of him.”
He’s earnest, and I know he believes what he’s telling me.
“I want your mark,” Trick says.
“I don’t want you to regret it later.”
“I won’t,” he reassures me, holding my gaze. “I don’t regret anything we’ve done here, Scarlett. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Nothing can change that.”
My heart feels heavy, even though I can feel he means it.
His initial hesitation has merit.
He could lose his pack, and the band, if Xane and Riley decide they’re not meant for me.
It would break my heart if either of those things happened, and they’re basically his family.
What we’re doing here tonight will change our lives forever.
“You’re our true mate,” Kian says. “We’ve got you.”
I turn to him and he offers his throat.
Tears sting my eyelids as I lean in and make my mark.
I wipe the corners of my eyes when I move back.
Trick is ready when I turn back to him.
He leans in and kisses me softly before he stretches his throat for me.
I mark him with no hesitation.
Whatever happens, I’ve chosen these two as my mates.