The moment Catherine spoke those words, the final barrier broke.
With a low, rumbling growl that vibrated straight through Catherine's chest, Amon took her. The physical connection was a violent, overwhelming collision of two entirely different species.
Catherine let out a sharp cry, her fingernails digging deep into the hard muscle of Amon's back.
Instantly, an invisible, massive shockwave of energy exploded from the point where their bodies met. It blasted outward, blowing the heavy stone door of the cave open a fraction of an inch.
Amon threw his head back and let out a deafening, triumphant roar.
The chaotic, destructive black storm that had been tearing the cave apart suddenly reversed. It funneled into a tight vortex and slammed back into Amon's chest.
At the exact same moment, a searing, burning heat flared on the back of Catherine's neck. It felt like a branding iron being pressed into her skin. She gasped, arching her back.
On Amon's left collarbone, a complex, tribal tattoo of a coiled black snake began to materialize, glowing with a blinding silver light.
Simultaneously, a tiny, identical black snake mark burned itself permanently into the skin at the nape of Catherine's neck.
The Beast Mark. The absolute, one-way contract of life and death was forged.
With the bond complete, the bottleneck that had trapped Amon's power for years shattered. The energy inside him underwent a terrifying, exponential mutation.
A pillar of pure, liquid silver light erupted from his body, illuminating the dark cave like a second sun. This was the light of a seven-star evolution.
The massive, self-inflicted wound on his thigh began to knit together. Muscle, tissue, and skin regenerated at a visible, horrifying speed until there wasn't even a scar left behind.
But the biological drive of the rut didn't stop with the upgrade. The influx of new, massive power only made Amon more relentless.
Catherine was tossed in a violent storm of pleasure and pain. She had no concept of time. The snake shifter's stamina was inhuman. She clung to his broad shoulders, her voice giving out completely as she was pushed past every physical limit her human body possessed.
Finally, after one last, earth-shattering surge of energy, the world went black. Catherine's eyes rolled back, and she passed out cold, her head falling limply against the furs.
When she slowly drifted back to consciousness, the cave was warm and quiet.
Her entire body felt like it had been run over by a steamroller. Every muscle ached with a deep, throbbing soreness. She tried to shift her weight and immediately hissed in pain.
"Don't move."
Amon's voice was incredibly soft, a stark contrast to the monster he had been hours ago.
Catherine forced her eyes open. Amon was kneeling beside the bed. He was fully in his human form, looking immaculate. The dark circles under his eyes were gone. His skin had a healthy, powerful glow.
He was holding a piece of soft, white fur that had been soaked in warm water. He gently, meticulously wiped the sweat and dried blood from her arms and chest.
When he finished, he pulled a thick, dry fur blanket up to her chin, tucking her in securely.
He looked down at her, his golden eyes entirely soft, brimming with a terrifying depth of devotion. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her neck, his thumb lightly tracing the new black mark on her skin.
"You are mine now," Amon whispered, leaning down to press a reverent kiss over the mark. "Forever."
He stood up and walked over to the fire pit. A piece of fresh, high-grade monster meat was roasting on a stick, the savory fat dripping into the flames.
He tore off a tender, bite-sized piece, carefully testing the heat against the rough skin of his forearm to ensure it wouldn't burn her, and walked back to the bed.
"Eat," Amon coaxed, holding the meat to her lips. His jaw was relaxed, a small, almost goofy smile playing on his lips.
Catherine glared at him. He looked so refreshed and smug while she felt like a broken doll.
She reached out with a trembling arm, grabbed the small fur pillow next to her head, and weakly threw it at his face.
The pillow bounced off Amon's nose. He didn't even blink. His smile just grew wider.
He caught the pillow, tossed it aside, and offered the meat again. "Eat. You need your strength. Then, I'll take you to the spring to wash."
