Page 47 of Reclaiming Quinn

Quinn shook his head. “No one could have, and I get that. For me, that was the turning point. I was dragged kicking and screaming from the house. I begged my parents to help me, but they stood there and watched as Ryker and Kristopher pulled me from my home. When we got to Ryker’s place, I was stripped of my clothes and scrubbed down by two of his servants. Then Kristopher came in and hefted me over his shoulder. He took me to a room where Ryker was waiting. He said that from that day forth, I belonged to him. Then he told me that since I was his, I had to wear his mark.”

“Your brand.”

“Yeah.”

“We could talk to someone, see if we can get it removed, or at least make it harder to see.”

The words Deke spoke came back to Quinn.This mark? It’s a testament to your strength and fortitude.“Deke told me it showed I wasn’t weak.”

“You’re not. I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t know that I could have survived like you did. I think I would have died there.”

That shocked Quinn. “But you’re an Alpha.”

“I was Gareth’s beta for a long time. I didn’t become Alpha until I did what I could to help Caleb. See, that’s the thing. You never know what you’re capable of until you’re forced to confront it. You’re still standing. Ryker is dead and buried. Who was stronger?”

Quinn found a strange comfort from Lyram’s words. “Thank you, Alpha. I think… maybe I could sleep for a bit.”

As Quinn rose, Lyram held out a hand to him. “You never need to thank me. That’s my job, and I want to be good at it.”

“You are. You’re amazing.”

Quinn detected a stain on Lyram’s cheeks. “Go get some rest. I can do some reading, then I’ll try to sleep too.”

“Good night, Alpha.”

Quinn shuffled off to the bedroom. He lay atop the sheets and closed his eyes. As had been his habit for the last several nights, Quinn’s thoughts drifted to Deke, and his heart ached.

Deke, I need you so much. I want you to come home to me.

Quinn?