Even in the heat of mid summer, you still wear a scarf. You loosen it just a tad, letting some air across your sweaty throat, but it barely helps.

Then you smell the distinct scent of your boyfriend, and wrap yourself up again.

He comes around your back, looking over your shoulder. "Babe, you're seriously wearing a scarf right now? Like, I get your fashion sense, but this is ridiculous."

He knows you're really touchy about your scarf, but just this once, he lets his intrusive thoughts win. "I'm gonna loosen it." He tugs on the back of your scarf, and his eyes catch sight of your bare neck, flushed red from the heat, but also...

He spots a claim mark, dead center of your nape. "What... babe, what's that?"

You've been dating axel for almost a year, yet you've never told him that you'd been bonded before. Your previous mate passed away a few years ago, and you still struggle with the mark etched into your skin. He's gone and you've moved on, but that mark will always be there... a reminder.