Amara Kings' POV
I woke up gasping for air, my body burning from the inside out. The mate bond flared like flames in my chest, pulling me toward Elias even as he slept across the room.
"Easy," my mother whispered, pressing a cool cloth to my face. "The bond is strengthening. Fight through it."
We'd taken shelter in an old cabin after fleeing from Luther. My father was still weak from his wounds. Elias had fallen into exhausted sleep. And I was burning alive with need for my mate.
"It hurts," I whispered, rolling into a ball. "Why now?"
"The Blood Moon approaches," Mom explained. "It amplifies everything—especially mate bonds."
I forced myself to sit up, sweat dripping down my face. Across the room, Elias stirred in his sleep, reacting to my discomfort.
"I feel him," I said, putting a hand to my chest. "Not just emotions anymore. His thoughts. His dreams."
