Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack #4)(19)

When Dawn closed the door behind her, Makenna shot Madisyn a glare and said, “You should have called me from Enigma.”

“You couldn’t have done anything. Besides, the club owner called Nick and asked him to send someone to collect me.”

“Bracken.”

Madisyn cursed the heat that rose to her cheeks. “He led me out of the club like he was my damn bodyguard, making it clear I was under his protection.”

“Since when does the mention of Bracken make you blush?”

Madisyn shifted uncomfortably. “Well, he gave me a helping hand with the touch-hunger. Literally.”

Sipping her coffee, Makenna lifted her brows. “Your cat finally accepted a male’s touch? Thank God. I wasn’t sure how long she’d keep stewing about Lucah.” Makenna was one of the very few people whom Madisyn had told about Lucah, knowing the she-wolf wouldn’t judge her for trying online dating whereas others might have lectured her over it. When Makenna had learned about his betrayal, she’d wanted to rip out his throat.

“Oh, she’s not done with the stewing just yet,” admitted Madisyn. Her kind were not forgiving creatures.

“It’s really no wonder your cat keeps lashing out at guys who pay you attention—she thinks she’s protecting you from more hurt and betrayal. It’s good that she let Bracken close without shredding him to pieces. That’s progress. Where did you two have your little rendezvous? Enigma?”

“My house.”

Makenna’s mouth fell open. “You let him in your home?”

“I didn’t really have a choice. I could barely walk. He had to help me inside.” Which had been mortifying. Madisyn hated that he’d seen her weak.

“So I’m guessing you told him about the touch-hunger.”

“He worked it out for himself.” And he’d no doubt have many questions about it later. He had no idea that her relationship with Lucah hadn’t involved physical contact. She wasn’t looking forward to telling him about it—hell, she hadn’t even told Dawn the truth about Lucah—because it was just so damn embarrassing. But Bracken wouldn’t let it drop. He’d hound her for answers.

“You’re scowling,” said Makenna. “Why? What is it?”

Meeting her friend’s gaze, Madisyn sighed. Truth time. “Bracken marked me.”

The she-wolf blinked. “Marked you? Where?”

“My neck. I covered it with concealer. I marked him first but not on purpose. He was teasing me, and my body was in no state to take it, so I pricked him with my claws as a warning. But that warning drew blood. He bit my neck and, well, it was deep. Deep enough to bleed. He then insisted that I not go to anyone else but him when the touch-hunger strikes again.”

Makenna’s brows lifted. “Well, it’s pretty natural that he wouldn’t want another male’s hands on the female he’s marked. I gotta be honest—it’s kind of surprising that he marked you, since he never struck me as the possessive type. And I never got the feeling he was harboring a crush on you, especially since he was pursuing Shiloh pretty hard for a while.”

Yeah, and that hadn’t been easy for Madisyn to watch. Her cat had hated it.

“But then, he hasn’t pursued her since the extremist attack, has he?” Makenna mused. “Experiences change us. He’s changed, which means his needs may have changed too. She might not be what he wants and needs anymore. In any case, if he bit you that hard, it wasn’t an accident. Some part of him wanted to put that brand there. What did you tell him?”

“I pointed out that he was being unreasonable, which he didn’t deny. Then he left, went to get in his car, got knocked over by the sows, and then . . .”

“Then, what?”

“Well, he’d hit his head kind of hard, so he was pretty dazed. I kept talking to him, telling him to keep his eyes open. And then he looked at me. I’ve never seen his eyes look so . . . clear. Probably because in that moment, while he was totally out of it, he had no guards up. And I was thrown by what had happened and panicking because of all the blood, and I just kept thinking that he’d better not die. And then, well, something happened.”

“What?”

Madisyn scratched at her nape. “I sort of, um . . . felt the pull of the mating bond.”

Makenna’s mouth dropped open. “No shit! You’re serious?”

“Very. I only felt it for a few moments. The power of it seemed to be too much for his brain to bear while he was in so much pain from hitting his head, which is probably why the mating urge didn’t kick in. But yeah, he’s definitely my true mate.”

Makenna scooted forward on the desk. “Oh my God, this is huge. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Because I’m still getting used to the idea. I haven’t told anybody yet.”

“I gotta say, Madisyn, I did not see this coming. I mean, you and him . . .”

“There was no immediate, overpowering sexual attraction,” Madisyn finished. “Not even an elemental fondness. Nothing.”

“But you’ve always liked him.”

“I always found him good-looking, but I’m not alone in that. I was a little drawn to him but not in a way that rang alarm bells.”

“Yeah, but that’s not so strange. You’ve never been keen on finding your true mate. It could be that some part of you felt something around him that you instantly rejected, I don’t know.” Makenna clasped her hands. “Did he feel the bond? Tell me he did.”