Chapter 29 · I know when you're scared

His thumb pressed once against the inside of her wrist.

The mark flared.

Ayla sucked in a breath.

Kade felt it. His face tightened, and his attention dropped to the point where his hand touched her.

"I know when you're scared," he said.

"Then you know better than to stand in my way."

"I'm not scared of the mark."

"No. You're scared of what happens if I lose control."

"I'm scared you'll decide dying is easier than trusting me."

The words landed harder than the door impacts.

Ayla's fingers stopped pulling.

His face was close again. She could see the faint cut beneath his cheekbone, the dark bruise at his temple, the pulse beating fast in his throat. He looked like a man who had forgotten half his life but remembered exactly how to hold onto her.

That was the problem.

Her fear moved through the pact.

Kade flinched.

Ayla saw it and hated that she had caused it.

"Get out of my head," she whispered.

"I can't."

"Try harder."

"You think I want every lie you swallow?"

"You seem very interested in them."

"I'm interested in keeping you alive."

"Why?"

He didn't answer fast enough.

The mark pulled again.