My jaw dropped open. “Holy crows…”

“There’s a couple of eagles mixed in there,” Luke commented.
"And a few hawks,” Aiden added.

I rolled my eyes. “Okay. Holy birds of prey! Is that better?”

“Much,” Aiden murmured.

Without thinking, I moved again, reaching out and touching the hand
resting near my thigh. Call it an experiment, but I wanted to see what would happen

Seth’s head whipped in my direction.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.” And nothing was what happened. Confused, I wrapped my fingers around his.

“Doesn’t look like nothing,” His eyes narrowed on me.

“I guess so.” Giving up on my impromptu test, I lifted my hand. “Shouldn’t you be—” Whatever I was about to say died on my lips. Incredibly fast, Seth grabbed my hand and threaded his fingers through mine.

“Is this what you wanted?” he asked, ever so casually.

It happened. Being so close to him this time, I could see where the markings came from. The thick veins in his hand
were the first to darken, branching out before spreading up his arm. Mesmerized, I watched the inky tats cover every piece of exposed skin. Before my eyes, they shifted away from his veins, swirling around his skin. Breaking off into different designs as he—we—continued to hold hands.

„It’s okay. It’s over.” He slipped back into his human form, pulling her against his chest, resting his cheek against hers. Their pounding hearts beat in unison. „I’ll never let anything happen to you. I promise. You’re safe with me.” Bethany’s fingers dug into his shirt as she shivered. „I know. I love you.

That's the funny thing about trying to escape. You never really can. Maybe temporarily, but not completely.

That kind of love should've been able to beat sickness. That kind of love should've conquered anything.

I have never seen a
man break the way he did. And he broke. Set half the damn Covenant on fire. If his brother hadn’t
showed up when he had, I’m positive that he would’ve stayed in the burning building. Is that what you
wanted to know? Did it make you feel better, Alexandria?