Brand of the Pack - Tera Shanley Page 0,35

air around her neck. “You smell so good. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it. Your scent has changed so much from this morning.”

“I like it, too. Smelling like you means I’m yours and you’re mine.”

She gently nuzzled the side of his face and nibbled on the soft edge of his ear as she pulled herself closer. Gently, she tugged his shirt up, scraping her nails against his skin as she went. The sound of a car engine over gravel sounded and he paused, turning his head toward the door. “Dean is headed this way. It’s time.”

His ears pricked at her galloping heartbeat. She was afraid, and he wished he could take her fear away. It would rip him apart to cut her.

Dean pulled up and Marissa jumped out as soon as he cut the engine. She bolted for Morgan and threw her arms around her. “Are you ready?”

Sliding from the driver’s side, Dean pulled a small wooden box out and set it on the hood of the car. Moving the clasp to the side, he opened the lid to reveal a silver dagger. The hilt had the intricate design of the pack emblem and the thin blade reflected the full moonlight.

The brands would identify their loyalty to their chosen pack. It didn’t happen often, but every once in a long while, a wolf would move to a different one and would have multiple brands. This would be Marissa’s second.

Grey pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it onto the front porch. He inhaled and held the air in his chest for a three-count to relax. It wouldn’t do to show Marissa and Morgan how much it hurt before they had to endure the same.

Dean took the dagger and squared up to his side. “I’d tell you to look away because it’s easier, but you need to watch to see exactly how to do it for the girls. Relax your arm.”

Dean expertly carved the symbol into his skin. It boiled and hissed, sending agonizing pain shooting down his arm. The finished brand bled freely but Dean put a poultice over it immediately. He expected the pain to ease with the medicine, but instead the burn seared even deeper, throbbing with his pulse. He clenched his jaw against the agony.

Dean pressed harder. “This medicine keeps the wound open but slows the bleeding. It will make a better, clearer brand. Wade makes these. I had him make a couple more for Marissa and Morgan. It hurts like hell, but your mark will look better for it.” Dean removed the poultice from his arm. “All right, you’re done. The brand should be smaller on the girl’s arms because of their size. Remember, once it is done, you need to Change and clean their blood as Wolf. You can take blood from them any time to bind them, but it is much easier if you do it tonight to seal the pack bond.” Dean handed the dagger and box to Grey.

Dean hugged Morgan and then Marissa before he stopped in front of him. “Promise me, you’ll take good care of her.”

It had to be hard for him to give Marissa to another alpha. He tried to imagine giving Lana to another pack, and the thought brought a physical ache to his chest. “I promise,” he said, letting the truth of his statement saturate the words.

The other wolf grunted and nodded before heading back to his truck. “Got to get back and start my pack’s full moon hunt. See you soon.” He smiled sadly at Marissa and left.

Grey was oddly calm. He was about to carve brands into Morgan and Marissa’s flesh, but his hands were steady. Thank goodness for all of the wood carving hours he had logged. He waved when he caught Dean’s eyes in the rearview mirror and watched until the truck disappeared into the woods.

Morgan was already peeling her shirt, shorts, and shoes off by the time he swung around to get started.

“You bled a ton and I don’t want to ruin my favorite pajamas,” she explained with a nervous laugh.

She and Marissa stood side by side with their hands clasped tightly.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

Morgan nodded and turned her face away. He was quick about it, but the sizzle and crack of her flesh under the blade would stay with him. He applied the poultice and pressed it firmly into her arm. He kissed her head and murmured soothing words as her arm sizzled and smoked,