Don't think about it, he told himself again. That was his new mantra from now on.
Jamue returned with one of his concealing strips he used on his face.
“Here,” he offered. Mac stared at it. “You don’t want people asking you questions you can’t answer.”
Right, Mac thought, taking the strip.
The claiming mark was a passion-filled accident, nothing more.
He did warn him. He should have stopped him when he realized where he was biting him.
Now he couldn’t take it back or tell people that he belonged to Deltta Kohle.
He doubted anyone would believe him anyway.
He hadn’t told Jamue about him either. Mac kept the identity of the alpha he travelled to the capital to see to himself because no one would believe him.
“Let me show you how to use it.”
Mac moved to the chair next to the counter. Jamue lifted a thin strip out of the packet and smoothed it on his skin.
“The trick is to make sure there are no creases, or people will notice that you have something on your skin. You can bathe with it. It won’t peel off unless you remove it with the solution.”
“It’ll stay in place unless I want to remove it?”
“Yes.”
Mac walked to the washroom and stared at himself in the mirror. He took in the smooth, unmarked skin. His stomach squeezed tight.
It felt wrong to conceal it, but he knew it was for the best.
“There is a permanent solution if you want it,” Jamue said from the doorway, startling him.
“What?”
“If you want to remove the mark, you can. Didn’t you know?”
Mac shook his head.
“Well, it’s not widely known because a claiming doesn’t happen by accident. But it does happen. My cousin had the same experience. My brother helped him.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. He’s the doctor. I can ask him if you want, but you have to ask your alpha. Apparently, he must be part of the process since you're breaking your bond.”
Mac cringed.
It all sounded painful. The word break sent fear into his heart. As if he could sense his panic, Jamue step closed to him.
“You don’t have to decide now, but it's not wise to stay bonded to some strange alpha you hardly know.”
He was right.
He didn’t know Deltta Kohle - he was an amazing alpha and he treated him well, but he didn’t know him personally. He didn’t even know if he wanted to see him again, let alone bond with him.
Tears filled Mac’s eyes because he knew he wouldn’t want that.
He blinked them away. He should try to remove it as soon as possible.