==Lila==
The mark on my hip burned like fire.
I clutched the blanket tighter around my body. My soft curves pressed against the rough fabric. Remy stood frozen by the door. His eyes locked on the glowing crescent shape.
Pain shot through me again. I gasped and doubled over. The blanket slipped lower. My full breasts nearly spilled out.
Remy stepped forward fast. His hand reached out but stopped short. "What the hell is that?"
"None of your business," I snapped. My voice came out shaky.
He stared a second longer. Then he turned and left without another word. The lock clicked behind him.
I sank onto the bed. My thick thighs trembled. Mud still streaked my skin. I felt every generous inch of myself. Heavy. Exposed. Unwanted.
Sleep did not come easy. When it did, it brought dreams of laughter and rejection. Of Remy's cold eyes.
Dawn light filtered through the window. I sat up. My body ached everywhere. The curse mark had cooled to a dull throb.
I could not stay here. Not like this. The bakery needed me. Mama would be waiting. The morning rush. Fresh beignets. Coffee. Normal life.
I wrapped the blanket like a makeshift dress. It barely covered my wide hips. I crept to the door and tried the handle. Locked. Of course.
But the window was open just enough. I pushed it wider. Cool morning air rushed in. Swamp mist hung low outside.
I climbed out. My bare feet hit the damp grass. My curves jiggled with each careful step. Breasts heavy. Belly soft. Thighs rubbing together. I hated how aware I was of every part of me now.
I moved fast toward the trees. The bakery was not far. Just through the woods. I could slip in. Help Mama. Pretend last night never happened.
A hand grabbed my arm.
I yelped.
Remy spun me around. His grip was firm on my soft flesh. He wore only loose pants. Chest bare. Muscles tight with anger.
"Where do you think you're going?" he growled.
"Home," I said. I tried to pull away. My body betrayed me again. Heat flared where his fingers touched.
"You're not going anywhere." He dragged me back toward the house. My feet slipped in the dew. My hips bumped against his side.
"Let me go!" I shoved at his chest. My palms met warm skin. My wolf pushed forward. Wanting. Hating.
He did not stop until we were back inside. He marched me straight to the kitchen. Pack members were already there. Including the same thin she-wolves from last night.
They turned when we entered. Their eyes widened. Smirks appeared.
Remy pushed me forward. "Lila will handle kitchen duty today."
One of them, a girl named Sylvie with narrow hips and perfect legs, laughed softly. "Her? She'll break the counters."
I felt my face burn. My soft belly tightened under the blanket. I wanted to disappear.
Remy shot Sylvie a hard look. "She stays. You all work with her."
He left without another word. The door swung shut.
The kitchen filled with tension. I moved to the counter. My curves felt huge next to their slim bodies. I started chopping onions. The knife felt heavy in my hand.
Sylvie worked beside me. Frying sausage. Grease popped in the pan.
"Careful, big girl," she muttered. "Don't want you spilling anything."
I ignored her. Kept my head down. But my hands shook.
She bumped me on purpose. The pan tilted. Hot grease splashed across my thigh.
Pain exploded. I cried out. The burn seared my soft skin. Red welts rose fast.
Sylvie smirked. "Oops."
Something snapped inside me.
My wolf surged forward. Stronger than last night. Power flooded my veins. My vision sharpened. Claws pricked at my fingertips.
I spun on her. Before I could think my hand shot out. I grabbed her arm and slammed her against the wall.
Remy burst through the door at that exact moment.
His eyes flashed gold. He moved like lightning. In one second he had Sylvie pinned to the wall. His forearm pressed against her throat.
"You touch her again and I'll end you," he snarled. His voice was pure Alpha. Deadly.
Sylvie whimpered. Her slim body trembled.
The other girls backed away. Eyes wide.
My wolf kept pushing. The surge would not stop. My body felt electric. Curves tingling with raw energy.
Remy turned his head. Looked at me.
Our eyes locked.
The bond flared between us. Partial. Unwanted. But there.
I stepped closer without meaning to. My thick thighs brushed his leg. My soft belly pressed near his side.
He reached for me. Maybe to pull me back. Maybe something else.
My wolf took over.
I grabbed his wrist. My teeth sank into his skin. Not hard enough to hurt badly. But enough.
The mark took hold. A partial bond sealed. Heat rushed through both of us.
Remy froze. His eyes widened.
I pulled back. Blood dotted his wrist. My lips tasted copper.
The kitchen went dead silent.
What had I just done?