Page 52 of Marked

We fall into silence, the wind rustling through the trees like it’s listening in.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I say.

Bolton’s jaw softens. “I know.”

Training tapers off after that. We run one more loop, then head back to the lodge. The sun’s dipping, painting the sky in shades of bruised gold. I stick close to Bolton, our shoulders brushing occasionally as we walk.

We don’t talk about the rogues again.

But we’re both thinking it.

Later, at home, the air feels heavier.

Mom has dinner on the stove—she does that when she’s worried. She doesn’t ask about training. Doesn’t ask if I’m okay. Just sets a plate in front of me and pours me a mug of tea like I’m still a kid who needs soothing.

“You heard,” I say, watching the steam curl from her cup.

She doesn’t answer right away.

“Rogues near the border,” I press. “It’s not just a rumor, is it?”

Her shoulders tense. “No.”

“How bad?”

“They haven’t moved in. Not yet. But they’re circling. Waiting for an invitation or a weakness. And you, Maya—you’re both.”

I flinch. “Thanks.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” she says quickly. “But you’re new. Your power is new. And the bond makes you… visible.”

“I didn’t ask for any of that,” I snap, then regret it instantly.

Elena’s face softens. “I know. But now we deal with it.”

She sits across from me but doesn’t touch her tea. “I lost your father to wolves who didn’t care about the consequences. All they saw was a threat to their order. To their control.”

I nod slowly.

“I’m not going to lose you the same way,” she finishes.

“I’m not him,” I say.

“No,” she says. “You’re something else.”

I don’t know what that means.

But I feel the truth of it in my bones.

I push my chair back slowly. The legs scrape lightly against the kitchen tile, and the sound feels louder than it should in the quiet between us.

“I need to think,” I say.

Mom looks up, and I see the question in her eyes—Are you okay? Should I say more? Is this the part where I try to protect you again?

“I’m going to bed,” I add, softening my voice.

She nods, mouth tightening like she wants to say something but doesn’t have the words.