Mason POV
I felt it before I saw her, that shift in the air, that faint change in her scent. Something was wrong. Mars stirred instantly, low and alert. Something happened. "I know," I muttered under my breath as I walked through the corridor. I didn't need to ask anyone where she was. The bond pulled me straight to her. The library, of course.
When I stepped inside, she was exactly where I expected her to be, sitting at the table with a book in front of her. But she wasn't reading. She was thinking. Hard. Her fingers rested on the page, unmoving, her expression distant, like she was trying to convince herself of something. My jaw tightened slightly. Something definitely happened.
I moved closer, my steps quiet, controlled. "Melina." She looked up immediately. For a brief second, something flashed in her eyes. Not fear. Not confusion. Something heavier. Then it disappeared. "You're here," she said. That alone told me enough. She noticed my absence today. Mars smirked inside me. She missed us. I ignored him.
"I've been here," I replied calmly. "The question is… what happened?" Her brows pulled together slightly. "Nothing happened." A lie. A bad one. I stepped closer, stopping right in front of her. "Try again."
She held my gaze this time, but I could see it, the hesitation, the conflict. "Why do you always assume something is wrong?" she asked. "Because I can feel you," I said simply. That made her pause. Silence stretched between us. Her fingers tightened slightly against the book. Then she looked away.
That was all the confirmation I needed. Mars growled softly. Someone upset her. "Who was here?" I asked, my voice dropping slightly. "No one," she said quickly. Another lie. I exhaled slowly, controlling the irritation rising inside me. "Melina," I said, more firmly this time.
She looked back at me, and for the first time, I saw it clearly. Doubt. That alone made something cold settle inside my chest. "Jessica," I said. Her silence confirmed it. Mars snapped instantly, anger flaring. I'll deal with her.
"Don't," Melina said suddenly. My eyes narrowed. "Don't what?" "Don't make it a big deal," she replied. Too late. It already was.
I stepped closer, closing the small distance between us. "What did she say?" I asked. "It doesn't matter." "It does to me." She looked at me again, and this time there was something else in her eyes. Frustration. "Why?" she asked.
The question caught me off guard. "Because it affects you," I answered. "And?" she pressed. My jaw tightened slightly. "And you're mine," I said. The words came out naturally. Simply. Like a fact. Her breath hitched slightly, but she didn't look away.
"Then why haven't you marked me?" she asked quietly. The question hit harder than anything else. Mars went completely still. The room fell silent.
I didn't answer immediately. Because this wasn't a simple question. And she deserved a real answer.
I lifted my hand slowly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, my fingers lingering longer than necessary. "Do you think I haven't wanted to?" I asked softly. Her breath caught again.
"Then why?" she whispered.
I studied her for a moment, really looked at her, at the way she was trying to act strong, but still searching for something she didn't fully understand yet. "If I mark you," I said slowly, "there's no going back."
She frowned slightly. "There's already no going back." "You don't understand," I replied.
My hand slid to her jaw, tilting her face up so she couldn't look away. "The moment I mark you, the bond deepens. Your emotions, your thoughts… everything becomes stronger. Mine too."
Her breathing slowed, but her eyes stayed locked on mine. "And you're still learning who you are," I continued. "Still figuring out what you want."
I leaned slightly closer. "I won't take that choice from you."
Silence settled between us, heavy and real.
"And if I choose you?" she asked softly.
Mars stirred again, interested.
I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I leaned in just enough for my lips to brush lightly against hers, not a full kiss, just enough to make her breath hitch.
"Then I won't hold back," I murmured.
Her fingers tightened slightly on my shirt.
And this time… she didn't pull away.