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The pain in my chest intensified, and I struggled against the chains holding me, a howl building in my throat.

"It won't work. Those chains are made of the same metal as the collar."

I let out a frustrated growl.

FUCK. Why hadn't Kaiya killed this bitch when she had the chance?!

"Now. As I was saying." Frexin stepped closer. "I told your mate I'd let you live, and as you can see, I followed through on my promise. Now you have the opportunity to do the same for her. If you cooperate, you will both be out of shackles in just a few months time."

I froze. "Why would I ever trust you? I SAW what you did to the people down there! Not to mention the lie that was my life. Who am I really?! Because I'm not some human orphan, am I?"

Her pewter lips curled into a pleased smile. "I was just as surprised as you about that. King Wendyr has some explaining to do, if I can ever find him."

My stomach twisted. She knew King Wendyr ran the orphanage I was raised in?

"As I'm sure you've seen, the body mage power comes at a cost. Especially when one finds their mate."

The wolf howled in my mind as if in response.

"If you give in to that animal, he will take you over — make you do things you'd never imagine to the people you love."

I shook my head. I'd seen body mages living happily. She was lying.

"Don't you feel the urge already?" she whispered. "To hunt her. To claim her …"

My stomach lurched. The wolf growled, trying to object, but I ignored him. She was right. Wasn't that why I'd taken the drink? I kept slipping up, calling the Witch "mine," and my dreams were full of us together in the forest — the scent of her fear and excitement calling to me to chase her … to hunt her.

"You do, don't you," she exhaled, eyes lighting up. "If you cooperate, my plan will stop the wolf, and it might even cure that magic of yours before it's too late and you hurt her."

My gaze slid to Kaiya — stone face contorted in pain.

"It will keep her safe?"

"It'll definitely help."

The wolf raged inside me, but I pushed it away. He was not me. I would not give in and become a monster like theones that had hurt King Wendyr. I would not hurt the Witch.

"I'll do it."

Frexin's lips curled into a pleased smile —

I came back to the present in the makeshift tattoo room, a jolt of fear filtering through the bond.

The metal restraints creaked as I pulled against them.

"What are you doing?" the scientist asked, lifting the tattoo gun, eyes wide.

"I must go!" I shouted.

He shook his head. "You wanted this. Let me finish."

With a snarl, I tore my right arm free, grabbed the man's neck and squeezed.

His eyes bulged as he let out a terrified whimper.

"Unbind me NOW!"

He swallowed, heart racing beneath my fingers, then nodded frantically.