Chapter 8 Mine for the Taking

  SOUNDTRACK: Eternal Flame by Atom Music Audio, with Randall Jermaine and Alexa Ray.

  ~ CASIMIR ~

  This was my third vow-forged bond, and it never got easier, feeling my soul entwined with another like that. Each one had made my skin feel too tight, as if I wanted to claw out of it.

  But this one… Jesse… dear god.

  The moment the pack leaders acknowledged her as my mate and the bond was forged, I was ripped out of myself. Left flailing.

  I fought as I'd fight a hurricane, leaning in and forcing my body to weather the pummeling blows that seemed to come from every direction at once.

  Mate.

  Wife.

  Mother.

  Soul.

  Twisting, turning me, flipping my heart on its head like a babe in the ocean tide as I fought, wrestling for control of my own fate.

  Because that was the source of my power-dominance always won. The more I owned, the more strength I gained.