Brand released her arm to pull her tighter against him. “Hon, we can work this out somehow. I’ll never let you go. We are mates already, even if we haven’t cemented the bond yet.”

She wished with her entire soul for that to be true. Fate had been cruel to her family. Brand didn’t understand pride politics or the consequences if she didn’t mate with Garrett Alter. She couldn’t explain either. She was too afraid Brand would do something really insane to keep her. It would get him killed.

“Don’t take the pills. Not even the ones to prevent pregnancy.”

Her gaze shot up to lock with his. “You know I have to.”

“Would it be so bad to have a baby with me?”

It would destroy her family. “It’s probably not even possible. I’ve never heard of it happening. We’re too different.”

“Your human half could change that. We won’t know unless we try.”

“I just can’t.” Her voice broke and she pressed her face against his chest again, unable to witness the pained expression that twisted his features. “I do love you. Know that. No matter what happens in the future, you’re the only man who will ever truly own me.”

He snarled and suddenly jerked away. “Don’t tell me that and then say I can’t have you in the next breath. I need to go for a run.” He spun, tore off his towel and stormed out of the room.

The front door slammed with enough force to shake the old cabin and Charma collapsed to her knees, tears sliding down her cheeks. Her obligation to her family was tearing them apart. She knew Brand would run himself into the ground to work out his frustration before he returned from the woods behind their home. She had at least an hour.

It took all her strength to rise to her feet. She couldn’t destroy the man she loved, yet that was exactly what would happen as their bond grew. One day she’d have to return home and leave him. If she left now, he’d only have a few months of memories to get past. Her sobs carried her into the bathroom to take her pills. She nearly choked on them and the bitterness that carried them down her throat.

She gazed at her pale reflection in the mirror. Her blonde-and-brown-striped hair mocked her. Lots of humans had streaked hair, but hers was actually striped. It drew attention and she’d been asked many times where she’d had it done. To avoid unwanted attention, she’d dyed it. It was a trait she had stopped hiding at Brand’s insistence since hair dye made his nose itch. Her long, now-natural hair flowed to her waist. She pulled her mass of wavy hair to the side and turned enough to see her back.

The dark spots along her lower spine were something she always hid beneath clothing or with her long hair. They were markings she’d been born with, ones that reminded her that no matter how much she wished she could change her heritage, it would never happen. They kept her from passing as human but the shifter world was destroying her one day at a time.

Her gaze lifted to stare into her blue-and-yellow eyes. The yellow flecks in her irises seemed more pronounced from crying. She reached for the contacts that would hide that uniqueness from humans and make her appear totally normal.

There was only one thing to do. She had to leave Brand to spare him more pain. She loved him too much to be selfish. More tears spilled until they blinded her but she moved on wooden legs to pack her things. She needed to be gone before he returned.

She threw back her head in anguish and stifled a scream.

* * * * *

Brand howled with grief after a quick search of their home. Charma’s clothes no longer hung in the closet with his and her car wasn’t parked next to his truck when he rushed outside. He panted, sniffing. No gas exhaust hung in the air. She’d been gone for at least half an hour or he’d have smelled the engine still.

He spun and went back inside the house. NO! He couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing her again. The first shirt he grabbed ripped in his hands, making him aware that his claws were out.

“Fuck!” He had to pull himself together enough to get dressed without damaging everything he owned. He didn’t bother to put on shoes, just jeans and a T-shirt. He snagged his keys and rushed out the door.

Please break down, he prayed as he threw his truck in reverse and nearly slammed the tailgate into a tree in his rush. Her car was an old clunker and had an oil leak he’d planned to fix but she hardly drove it. He stomped on the brake, threw the vehicle in drive and punched it. The ass end slid on the grass as he took off.

His frantic gaze scanned the road ahead as he took the curves far too fast for safety. He only slowed when he entered town, afraid the cops would pull him over. He couldn’t waste time getting a ticket.

Where would she go? She didn’t have many friends. The fear of discovery was too great. The college girls loved to go swimming at the river but his Charma was afraid they’d see the faint spots trailing down her spine. He’d assured her a hundred times she could say they were tattoos but she didn’t like to lie.

Oh, baby. Where are you? Don’t do this. Don’t leave me. He drove past one of the dorms, searching for her car. It wasn’t there. Within ten minutes he was sure she hadn’t gone to crash with Dina or Barbara.

Panic set in. She might have left town altogether. He made his way to the main highway and checked out the gas station. She wasn’t there but he stopped anyway and went inside.

The guy behind the counter frowned at his bare feet. “No shoes, no service.”

Brand wanted to snarl but terrifying the clerk wouldn’t be to his advantage. “I’m sorry. My girlfriend is missing and I’m worried something has happened to her. She drives an old rusted Ford.”

“Ah. The one with the cool two-toned hair down to her butt?”

“Yeah. Charma. Have you seen her lately?”

The clerk nodded. “She was in here about forty minutes ago. She filled up her tank and bought a few candy bars.”

Filled the tank. He felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. “Did she say where she was heading? Ask for directions? That car breaks down.”

Suspicion narrowed the clerk’s eyes. “You guys have a fight?”

Brand reached up and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Yeah. It was stupid and I stormed out. I came back and she was gone. Please tell me what you know. I can’t lose her.”

“I don’t blame you. She’s a babe.”