I stood frozen in place as Kaelen's words echoed in my mind. Show me? What exactly did scent marking involve?
"Come with me," Kaelen said, his voice dropping to that commanding tone that brooked no argument.
I followed him through the mansion, my heart hammering against my ribs. We passed several staff members who averted their eyes respectfully. Did they know what was about to happen? Was this some werewolf ritual I should be terrified of?
Kaelen led me to his bedroom—a massive space dominated by an enormous bed with dark sheets. The room smelled distinctly of him: cedarwood, mountain air, and something wild I couldn't name.
"Sit," he instructed, gesturing to the edge of the bed.
I perched nervously on the mattress. "Are you going to explain now?"
"Scent marking is extremely important in wolf culture," he began, loosening his tie. "It's how we declare our mates, how we protect them. My scent on you will tell every wolf at the Solstice that you belong to me."
