Read Marked for Life for Free Online

mental search of himself and was stunned. He did feel stronger, mentally and physically.
    "We now share the best of each other. Where you were once weak, my abilities have now strengthened you and you have done so for me," Mark explained. "We are truly one."
    Victor raised a brow and looked up to him. "Does this mean you can read my mind?"
    Mark laughed. "No, darling, but I hope to know you so well that I may anticipate your desires as if I can."
    Victor laughed with him. He continued with his internal search and vague visions surfaced in his mind, removing his smile.
    "Mark, the images I see of the beige wolf are sketchy. I know you fought him and lost and that is how you came to meet Yaya, but is the situation still the same? Are you still an outcast?"
    Mark nodded with a sigh. "It is unchanged."
    "How did he beat you?"
    "He had bonded with his mate as I have with you and gained his strength," he told him simply.
    Victor lay silent in thought. "Could you beat him before he bonded with his mate?"
    "We have fought many times with both of us taking victory."
    "Well, now that we have bonded, shouldn't that put you on some kind of equal ground? I mean, I can fight, too."
    Mark stared at Victor blankly for a moment and then his eyes widened. He took Victor's face in both his hands and kissed him passionately, awakening wanton feelings within him again.
    "Not only are you beautiful, but you are brilliant also. I am honored to have you as my mate. We shall go tomorrow to my people so I may redeem myself in their eyes."
    Victor smiled. "Excellent, but first…" he paused to roll Mark onto his back. He straddled his hips kicking the cover away from them and pressed his growing erection into his pelvis. "I think another round of bonding is in order," he said, brushing his lips over Mark's cheek.
     
    * * * *
     
    The next day Mark led Victor to where his pack gathered; further into the forest than he had ever been. The terrain turned rocky as cliffs came into view and most of the foliage was left behind. Victor followed, lost deep in his thought. He was both nervous and afraid for Mark's safety, knowing Raymond was vicious and a traitor to his own kind who tried to kill him in order to cover up his own reprehensible behavior. As second in command, Raymond had influence over the ones he helped lead. Victor could only hope the leader still had his faculties about him and others to advise him besides Raymond.
    When Mark stopped walking, Victor bumped into his back. The motion jogged Victor from his internal dialog. They stood in front of a small wall littered with dark openings embedded within the rock not far from the edge of the trees.
    "We wait here," Mark said.
    "Shouldn't we go up and say something to let them know you're here?"
    Mark shook his head. "No, they already know I'm here. I sensed their scouts as we progressed closer to the pack's dens. Someone will be out in a moment. Stay behind me."
    A short time later a thin-looking wolf left one of the caverns.
    "He is the pack leader," Mark whispered to him.
    Victor nodded and watched the animal. His footing was tentative and slow. Each paw touched the ground delicately and lifted high after every movement. He closed the gap between them and sat heavily before them, gasping for air. Mark and the wolf stared at one another until the beast had better control over his breathing and then Mark lowered himself to one knee bowing his head.
    The air suddenly snapped and popped around the animal. Tiny lights flashed like little lightning strikes in the air as he collapsed to the ground, shivering. Victor watched with wide eyes as the wolf before him morphed into a man. The wolf pushed from the ground and slowly rose to his feet, grunting with his efforts. His face was wrinkled and worn by time, with more grey than black in his mussed hair, but the man was still handsome. He stood naked before Mark with no shame.
    "It is becoming more difficult for me to shift nowadays," the elderly man