Standing beneath the stream of steaming water, I closed my eyes. When I’d first peeled the clothes from my body, it looked like I’d been in an actual battle. Blood had stained my skin crimson from my upper thigh all the way down to my toes. Dried beads of blood had settled between my breasts, and I’m pretty sure Ghost’s blood was smeared on the side of my face.
As I stared in the mirror, I’d smiled. The blood against my skin was worn like a badge of honor. A brief moment of happiness.
Ghost hadn’t gone easy on me. He didn’t treat me like I was fragile. He didn’t treat me like I was his mate.
He treated me like an equal.
But now…. As water pelts against my sore body and the scent of copper mingles with steam; I feel my resolve crumbling.
The water that swirls at the basin of the sh
