Chapter 34 STRANGE MARK
Adam jolted awake with a gasp.
At first, he didn’t even know why, only that something inside him felt wrong. Too hot. Too tight. Too loud. His whole body trembled against the sheets, breath coming out in short, panicked bursts.
A second later, Kael sat up beside him, instantly alert.
“Adam?” His voice was low, tight with fear. “What’s wrong? Talk to me, what are you feeling?”
Adam didn’t answer. He couldn’t.
A sharp pain raced up his spine, arching him off the bed. It felt like something burning through his veins, rushing toward his chest, spreading outward like fire under the skin.
He choked on a cry.
“Kael—Kael, it hurts—!”
Kael grabbed him, pulling him against his chest. Adam felt the Alpha’s arms lock around him, protective and desperate, like Kael feared he might break apart and disappear.
“I’m here. I’m right here,” Kael whispered, brushing sweaty hair away from Adam’s forehead. His voice shook despite how hard he tried to control it. “Breathe with me. Just breathe. You'll be alright.”
But the pain only grew.
Adam curled forward, fists pressed over his heart, teeth clenched as the burning sensation traveled down his ribs, across his stomach, into every limb. His skin felt too tight. Like something underneath wanted out.
“Kael—my chest—” Adam gasped. “It’s—something’s wrong—”
Then a faint glow appeared, right under Kael’s palm, making Kael pause for a moment.
Adam didn’t notice at first, too lost in the pain. But Kael’s breath hitched, and he slowly lifted his hand as the light grew brighter… spreading into the shape of a mark that had never been there before.
“Adam…” Kael breathed. “This wasn’t here before.”
“I know,” Adam sobbed, shaking violently. “I—I don’t know what’s happening to me.”
The glow intensified for a moment, sending a hot wave through Adam’s whole body. He cried out and gripped Kael’s shirt so tight his knuckles turned white.
Kael cupped the back of his head, pulling him close.
“I’m here with you. I swear. Nothing’s going to happen to you,” Kael murmured, voice rough with panic he desperately hid. “Look at me, sweetheart. Please. Look at me.”
Adam forced his eyes open.
Kael’s face was right there; beautiful and worried, eyes glowing faintly even under stress, jaw clenched so tightly a muscle ticked. He pressed a soft kiss to Adam’s temple, then another to his cheek, trying to ground him.
“Kael, I’m burning…” Adam whimpered.
“I know,” Kael whispered. “Let me help you.”
He shifted, pulling Adam fully onto his lap, one arm supporting his back while the other cradled his waist. Kael lowered his forehead against Adam’s and exhaled a slow wave of pheromones… cooling, soothing, soft as a breeze over water.
Adam felt it immediately.
The burn dulled. His muscles loosened. His breath steadied just a little.
“Good,” Kael murmured, brushing his thumb along Adam’s jaw. “You’re doing so well. Stay with me.”
Another flash of heat tore through Adam’s spine, making him cry out again and grip Kael’s shoulders.
Kael tightened his arms around him, almost to the point of shaking.
“Please,” Adam whispered, voice breaking. “Don’t let go.”
“I would never,” Kael said. And he meant it. Every word carried a fierce promise. “I am not leaving you for a single second.”
He kissed Adam’s forehead again and Adam clung to him like he was the only steady thing in a world that suddenly made no sense.
The mark under Adam’s skin pulsed again, seemingly growing wider.
Kael traced it carefully with trembling fingers, trying not to hurt him.
“I don’t recognize this,” Kael whispered. “It’s not a normal mark. It’s not a bond mark. Adam… this feels like something unnatural.” His thumb brushed the glowing lines. “I don't want to scare you but this seems like a side effect of something.”
Adam squeezed his eyes shut as another wave of heat crashed over him. His skin felt feverish; sweat dripped down his neck; his heartbeat thundered in his ears.
“Kael… I’m scared…”
Kael pressed a soft kiss just below his eye, gentle despite how tight his hold was.
“I know,” he whispered. “But you’re not alone in this. You’ll never be alone in anything again.”
Adam’s breathing sped up… too fast, too shaky.
Kael shut his eyes and released another wave of cool pheromones, stronger this time.
Adam felt the coolness sinking through his fevered skin, spreading through his chest like cold fingers, lowering the unbearable heat until he could breathe again.
Kael brushed his lips across Adam’s cheek, then down to his temple again and again, whispering, “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m here. This will go away soon.”
Adam leaned into the touch, tears slipping down his face.
Everything hurts. Everything felt strange. Everything felt wrong and terrifying.
But Kael held him through all of it, rocking him slightly, one large hand stroking his back, grounding him.
Slowly… very slowly, the glow started to fade.
The heat lessened.
Adam collapsed forward, exhausted and trembling, forehead resting on Kael’s shoulder. His breath came in tiny gasps.
Kael wrapped both arms around him, hugging him close like he never wanted to let go.
For a long moment, they just stayed like that… Adam clinging weakly, Kael holding him as though he could protect him from whatever force was awakening inside him.
“Kael…” Adam whispered at last.
“Yes?” Kael tilted his head, brushing Adam’s hair back with tender fingers.
Adam swallowed.
“I… saw something.”
Kael tensed. “What do you mean?”
Adam closed his eyes tightly, shaking.
“When the pain started… when the mark was glowing… I—I saw something inside me.”
His voice dropped so low Kael had to lean in to hear it.
“It wasn’t human, it was like a monster.” Adam whispered, trembling again. “Kael… I’m scared. I don’t want this.”