As Damien's arms locked around her, the room seemed to shrink. Sofia's mind was screaming for her to fight, to push him away and run away, but her body was a traitor.
The moment their skin made full contact, the mate bond—which had been hurt and bleeding—suddenly snapped tight. It was like a surge of electricity jumping between them. Her wolf, which had been whimpering in a corner of her mind, suddenly stood up and let out a long, soulful howl of recognition.
Damien let out a broken sob against her skin. "Sofia… please. Just for a second."
Sofia felt her own resistance melting. Despite the torture, despite the pain, and despite the way Alaric had made her feel like a queen only hours ago, her soul recognized the man holding her. Her heart, which had been beating in a fast, panicked rhythm, began to slow down, syncing perfectly with Damien's.
