"Can I mark you?"
Ana's eyes widened in panic. "What? No! We agreed we wouldn't mate until we understand each other, right? Then why are you asking this?"
Xavier sighed. "I don't want to mate with you, Bella. I just want to mark you—so I can feel connected to you."
She frowned, confused. "You're talking as if marking and mating are two different things."
"For most beastmen, they're the same. But for ferals, marking can be done separately. Each of us has a unique way of marking."
Xavier's inner thoughts: And a feral's mark can't be erased. Once I mark you, you'll be mine forever.
Ana hesitated. "So... how do you mark?"
"By biting you."
Her face turned pale. "You're joking, right? You have long, sharp fangs. If you bite me, I'll either die from blood loss or your venom!"
Xavier chuckled. "No, Bella. You won't die. But I won't lie—it will hurt."
Ana clenched her fists. I've endured a lot in my world. What's one more pain if it might bring me happiness? If he turns into a monster afterward… I'll remove his spousal mark and I'll find a way to leave.
Taking a deep breath, she looked into his eyes. "Okay… mark me. I believe you. But please… be gentle."
A slow smirk crossed his lips. "I will, Bella… as much as I can."
He lifted her effortlessly, pulling her into his arms in a firm yet gentle embrace. His warm breath fanned against her skin as he leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss on her collarbone—the very spot where his mark would soon be.
He paused, his golden eyes searching hers, silently asking for permission. She swallowed hard, her heart hammering in her chest. With a slow nod, she gave in.
But instead of biting immediately, he tilted her chin up, his fingers grazing her jaw with a tenderness that sent shivers down her spine.
"You're mine now, Bella," he murmured, his lips brushing against hers in a feather-light touch.
Her breath hitched as he deepened the kiss, slow and consuming, stealing every ounce of hesitation left in her. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer, pressing her against the warmth of his bare chest.
His lips trailed down, leaving a burning path along her jaw, her throat, her shoulder… until he reached the soft skin of her collarbone once more.
And then—he bit.
"Ah—!" She gasped, her body jolting from the sharp, unexpected pain. Instinctively, she tried to pull away, her hands pressing against his shoulders, but he held her tightly, not letting go.
Her blood touched his tongue, warm and intoxicating, sending a shiver down his spine. It was unlike anything he'd ever tasted before. His grip tightened as he waited, feeling the connection deepen.
Slowly, a faint, glowing imprint appeared on her collar bone—his mark. His claim.
The mark on her arm was striking—an elegant outline of a python, its sinuous form curling possessively around her skin. The deep brown, nearly black ink shimmered under the dim light, highlighted with subtle bronze streaks that mirrored the rich hues of his hair.
Beneath the serpent, two initials were etched in a bold yet graceful script: XA—X for Xavier, A for Anabella. A silent declaration. A bond that could never be undone.
Only then did he release her.
There wasn't enough blood loss to be fatal, but crimson rivulets still trickled down her neck.
Before she could react, he leaned in again, his tongue tracing the path of the warm liquid, licking it clean with slow, deliberate strokes. His touch sent a strange sensation through her, making her body tense and shudder involuntarily.
"Shh… just cleaning my mess, Bella," he whispered, his voice thick with something she couldn't quite decipher.
Her breathing grew shallow, her body trembling from the exhaustion of the process. Her eyelids fluttered. Then, her body went limp.
"You did well, Bella." His voice was barely above a whisper as he caught her, cradling her against his chest.
With careful movements, he placed her onto a smooth rock inside the cave, making sure she was as comfortable as possible. His fingers lingered on her cheek for a moment before he stood.
Without wasting another second, he turned and disappeared into the night, determined to gather the medicines she would need to recover.