When Kael questioned the bruise on my wrist, the truth slipped out before I could stop it.
"It was Selena," I admitted quietly. "Julian's mate."
His eyes flashed, dark veins appearing beneath his skin. "Why?"
I swallowed hard. "She caught me trying to escape. She said I needed to be taught a lesson."
Kael's jaw clenched so tight I could hear his teeth grinding. The black veins spread further, snaking up his neck like living tattoos.
"She broke your wrist."
It wasn't a question, but I nodded anyway. "She stepped on it. Said humans were too fragile."
Something wild and dangerous flared in his eyes. "And your other injuries? The bruises on your back I saw when my healer examined you?"
I looked away, shame burning through me. "Those were... from before."
"From the pack?" His voice had dropped to a growl.
"Some of them." I didn't want to say more. Didn't want to relive the humiliation of those final weeks with the pack.
"And the rest?"
