Chapter 22: Compromises
(Alexander's POV)
The moment Marcus’s fingers closed around Celeste’s wrist, my control began to unravel. His hand pressed into her scars—not gently, not accidentally. It was deliberate.
The way her body stiffened, the way she recoiled in quiet pain, made my white wolf snarl so loudly within me I thought I would lose control.
“Careful now,” Marcus murmured, his voice dripping with false concern, though his smile revealed his satisfaction.
His thumb brushed lightly over the deepest of her silver scars, pressing just enough to ensure her discomfort. “Celeste is delicate, isn’t she? Fragile.”
Fragile.
The word churned in my chest like venom. My wolf clawed harder against my restraint, wanting to rip through him.
But I stood still, watching the way Celeste froz
