Updated Jan 5, 2026 • ~6 min read
POV: Rory
Thorne showed up at Morgana’s apartment five days after the marking.
My ex-boyfriend. Human. Normal. Everything my life used to be before wolves and bonds and impossible choices.
“Rory.” He pulled me into a hug. “Thank god you’re okay. When you stopped answering calls, I thought—I was worried.”
“I’m fine. Just dealing with some stuff.”
“What kind of stuff?” He pulled back. Saw the mark on my neck. His expression darkened. “What is that? It looks like—did someone hurt you?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Complicated how? Rory, that looks like a bite mark. A bad one. Who did this to you?”
Morgana appeared in the doorway. “Thorne. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Morgana. I came because Rory’s been missing. No calls. No texts. People in town are worried. And now I see why—she’s injured. What the hell is going on?”
I exchanged glances with Morgana. How much to tell him? He was human. Didn’t know about the supernatural world. Wouldn’t believe it if I tried to explain.
“There was an incident. In the woods. I’m okay now. Just healing.”
“An incident? Rory, that’s a bite mark. From something big. Wolf, maybe. Or—” He paled. “The legends. The rogue wolf stories. Are they real?”
“Thorne—”
“I’m taking you to the hospital. Now. Wolf bites can get infected. Need rabies shots. Come on.” He grabbed my arm.
The mark flared. Hot. Possessive. My wolf snarled at being touched by another male.
I jerked away. “I’m not going to the hospital.”
“You need medical attention—”
“I’m fine. The wound is healing. I don’t need a hospital.”
“You’re not thinking clearly. Probably in shock. Trauma. Let me help you. Let me get you somewhere safe—”
“I am safe. Here. With Morgana.”
“With Morgana who lives above an occult bookstore and believes in paranormal nonsense? That’s not safe. That’s enabling delusions.” He reached for me again. “Please. Let me take care of you. Like I used to. We can figure this out together.”
The bond screamed. Fen’s presence suddenly close. Approaching. The mate bond alerting him that another male was touching me.
“Thorne, you need to leave,” Morgana said. “Now. Before things get complicated.”
“I’m not leaving without Rory. She’s clearly in danger. Being manipulated by—”
The door opened. Fen stood there. Barely human. Eyes glowing amber. Power radiating off him in waves.
“She asked you to leave,” he said quietly. Dangerous. “I suggest you listen.”
Thorne stared. “Who the hell are you?”
“The rogue who marked her. The wolf you’ve heard legends about. The mate you’re currently threatening.”
“You—you did this to her?” Thorne moved to stand between us. “Stay away from her. I’m calling the police. Reporting assault—”
“The police won’t help you. Can’t help you. This is pack business. Supernatural law. Beyond human jurisdiction.” Fen’s voice was eerily calm. “And you’re touching what’s mine. That’s a death sentence in wolf culture.”
“I’m not leaving her with you. With some stalker who—”
Fen shifted. Partially. Claws extending. Eyes fully wolf. A warning.
Thorne stumbled back. “What are you?”
“What your ex-girlfriend is becoming. What the world really is beneath the human veneer. Dangerous. Magical. Not meant for people like you.”
“Rory, please. Come with me. Let me protect you from this monster—”
“He’s not the monster, Thorne.” My wolf rose. Defensive of our mate despite everything. “And I don’t need protecting. Not from him. Not from what I am.”
“What you are? Rory, you’re human. You’re a librarian. You’re—”
“Half-wolf. Fated mate to a cursed rogue. Part of a supernatural world you don’t understand and can’t be part of.” I touched the mark. “This is my life now. My choice. And I’m asking you to leave.”
“I’m not giving up on you—”
“There’s nothing to give up on. We broke up six months ago. You don’t get to show up now and play hero. I’m not a damsel. I’m not in distress. I’m exactly where I need to be.”
The rejection hit him visibly. “You’re choosing this? Him? Over safety? Over normalcy?”
“I’m choosing me. Who I actually am. Not who I pretended to be when I thought I was human.”
He looked between Fen and me. Saw something in my eyes that made him step back.
“You’re different. Changed. I don’t even recognize you.”
“Good. Because the old me was half-alive. Suppressing what I was. Living a lie.” I met his eyes. “Thank you for caring. For worrying. But you need to go. And you need to forget you saw any of this.”
“Forget? How am I supposed to—”
Fen moved. Fast. Touched Thorne’s temple. Magic flared.
Thorne’s eyes glazed. “I—what was I—Rory? Why am I here?”
“You came to check on me. I’m fine. Just taking some time away from town. Personal stuff.” I smiled sadly. “Thank you for worrying. But I’m okay. You can go.”
“Right. Okay. If you’re sure—” He looked confused. Disoriented. The memory alteration taking hold. “Take care of yourself.”
He left. Still confused but no longer remembering wolves or bites or supernatural revelations.
“You erased his memory,” I said once he was gone.
“Partial erasure. He remembers visiting. Knows you’re safe. But the specifics—the supernatural elements—are gone. Humans can’t know. It endangers both worlds.”
“Is that what happens to every human who discovers the truth?”
“Most. Unless they’re bonded to supernatural beings or specifically granted access by pack leadership.” He looked at me. “I’m sorry. For showing up. For interfering. But I felt another male touching you through the bond. Felt your discomfort. Had to make sure you were safe.”
“From my ex-boyfriend?”
“From anyone who might hurt you. Male wolves are possessive. Especially newly mated ones. It’s instinct I’m still learning to control.”
I understood. The bond made both of us irrational about threats to each other.
“Thank you. For coming. For handling it without violence.”
“I’m trying to be better. To earn back your trust.” He turned to leave. “I’ll go. Give you space. But if you need anything—”
“Fen.” He stopped. “Stay. For a while. We should talk. About boundaries. About the bond. About moving forward.”
Hope flickered through our connection. “Okay.”
We talked for hours. About the marking. About his possessiveness. About my need for autonomy despite the mate bond.
It wasn’t perfect. Wasn’t resolution. But it was communication. Honest. Difficult. Necessary.
And maybe that was enough to start healing what had been broken.
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