Chapter 30 · No One Gets to Mark Her

"You're burning up."

Cain's voice cuts through the static in my head. I press my palm harder against my chest, trying to smother the heat, but the rune pulses under my skin like a second heartbeat. Like it's got its own agenda.

The three Alphas are on their feet, watching me like I might shatter.

Rex is bleeding from where the silver light cut into his knuckles. He hasn't even looked at the wound. Aiden's pale as death, waiting for me to tell him it's okay.

It's not okay.

"We need to move." Marcus steps forward, face hard. "That rune's a beacon. If Garrett's people are still out there, they know exactly where she is."

"Her people," Rex corrects. Bitter. "She's a Gray. That makes them hers, doesn't it?"

"She doesn't know them." Cain's voice drops to a growl. "And they don't get to claim her just because some dead Alpha carved a target on her chest."

I want to laugh. Or scream. Maybe both.

"You all just gave me up," I say. My voice comes out flat. "So what does it matter who claims me now?"

Aiden flinches.

Cain doesn't.

"We didn't give you up," he says. Low. Steady.