Chapter 25 Commitment II
twenty-five
Commitment II
*SILAS*
Marcellus helps me clean up the kitchen without even batting an eye.
He just does it, always. Helps me without asking for anything in return.
When I met him five years ago, I was uncertain and not ready to open my heart to anyone.
I only worked together with Marcellus because, at that time, it was the only logical thing to do, the only way to keep Maddie, Lucian and the others safe.
Back then, Marcellus did me a huge favor. He wouldn’t have needed me or my kind. In fact, all the problems that came to us were because of me and the enemies I had made. If it weren’t for me, the pack would be completely peaceful.
Yet he accepts every baggage that comes with me.
It’s late when we head to our room. I let him use the shower first, before I clean myself up. I love him. It’s easy like that. I thought I loved Julianus back in the days, but my feelings for him don’t compare to what I am feeling now.
I towel myself dry, but don’t bother putting on clothes. Marcellus gazes at me when I enter the room, before realization settles in that I’m completely naked.
“Hello, my beloved,” I say, scooting closer and straddling his hips, enjoying how thick his thighs are and how comfortably I can sit on them. I love how strong he is. “I want you to mark me,” I say without further ado.
Marcellus clearly needs a minute to process what’s happening right now. He stares at me. “What?”
“Mark me,” I repeat.
“But you said you wanted a romantic gesture, you said you-“
“I did, but then I realized it doesn’t matter,” I tell him. “I don’t need any big gestures; I just need you. There is nothing you need to prove to me.”
I was stupid to stall for so long. Julianus hurt me, and I tried to keep Marc at arm’s length because of that, not ready to trust him. But today, when he defended the pack and when he took my hand, sensing my worries, it finally clicked for me.
Took me long enough!
“I’d love to mark you. Nothing more than that.”
“But?”
“Are you sure?” Marcellus asks. “I don’t want to do this… for you to regret it. Marking you means everything to me.”
“Who said I won’t mark you in return?” I ask.
“Wait, you can do that?”
I snort. “Five years with a vampire and you still have no clue?”
He has the decency to look slightly embarrassed. “In my defense, it’s been a sore topic for a while.”
“I will bite you. It doesn’t matter where,” I explain. “Mixing my blood with yours and claiming you that way. It will leave a mark, too, not like the one you will put on me. It’s… not visible unless the sun shines on it.”
“I want you to do it on my neck,” he says.
“And of course you had to go with the biggest cliché ever,” I sigh. “Me sucking at your neck while it can be anywhere else.”
“When you say anywhere, does that mean you could literally mark my dick?” he asks.
I feel a twinge of exasperation. Young men! “If you want me to bite your penis, just say so.”
He grimaces. “No, better not.”
“Then let’s stick with your neck,” I say, before he can come up with another ‘brilliant’ idea.
Marcellus looks at me, his eyes darkening slightly.
“Well, hello there, my handsome wolf,” I say.
Amos is much more serious than Marcellus, more reserved, but equally as kind. “This is the greatest honor,” he says, before taking my face between his hands. He kisses me softly first, before his lips move down to my neck. “You are sure?”
“Yes, but if you ask once more, I will never offer it again.”
A sharp pain plunges through my body as Amos bites down on my neck without further warning.
For a moment, the pain is so blinding it takes my breath away, until it’s replaced by something warm and comfortable, something familiar.
Still reeling in these emotions, I grab my wolf mate, tilt his head and allow my fangs to come out before burying them deep in my beloved’s neck.
A guttural sound leaves his lips, and arms are suddenly wrapped around me.
I am not sure how this feels for Marcellus.
Never before has a vampire taken a werewolf as his beloved, but judging by the way his head rests against mine, his lips pressed against my temples, it can’t be too bad.
*BENJAMIN*
I didn’t notice it immediately. I am helping Marcellus with preparing everything for our new pack members.
They will arrive later today, so I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to him.
But eventually, as the sun shines down on us, I swear I can see a tattoo on his neck.
Like something is being illuminated and shimmering in silver.
I stare at the spot, not minding if I come off as a creep. “Marcellus,” I blurt out. “Is this a mark?”
“Took you long enough,” he grins. “Sheila noticed it immediately.”
I clasp my cheeks in disbelief before jumping forward and hugging him. “Congrats. I am so happy for you!” Only when Marc pats my head, do I notice that I just went completely overboard with my reaction. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Marcellus grins. “I am happy you are finally relaxing around me.”
“A vampire mark, huh?” I gaze at his neck, noticing how there are two small dots, probably where Silas bit him. They are surrounded by fine lines and petals. It looks beautiful, like an intricate tattoo.
“See? If I can do it, you will be able to do it too,” he tells me.
“You really think so?” I ask.
“Yes, I am sure you will find someone who will accept you and love you with all their heart, just like you deserve. Like we all deserve.”
His words feel weirdly comforting to me. He is right, never has there been a vampire mated to a werewolf, not that we know about, yet Silas and Marcellus made it work. Despite their disappointment and pain of past relationships, they accepted each other.
Isla didn’t want me, but maybe, just maybe, I will be able to find love on my own terms. If I meet a girl who likes me and vice versa, I could even take her as a chosen mate.
“Alright, back to topic,” Marcellus says. “Are you ready for our newcomers? Sheila and Silas are ready for the abuse victims that Cass will arrive with soon. Micah and I will pick up Percy and Lori. I want you to keep an eye on the two of them and make sure they feel comfortable and accepted.”
“Of course!” I nod. “I know how it is to feel terrified and undeserving of a second chance, and like everyone hates you. I will never forget how kindly this pack accepted me.”
“Good to hear that. You have come a long way! Be proud of yourself. As for Percy and Lori, they are both victims,” he explains to me.
“They had it rough and were treated badly from the get-go. Percy will live in one of our group homes. He is young, and I am sure Sheila will be able to make him open up and come around. I am more worried about Lori. She looks detached.”
“What happened to her?” I ask quietly.
“It’s not for me to tell you the whole story,” he says. “But so you know the bare minimum, she was groomed and used by more than one person.”
My heart sinks. I am not entirely sure what this means, but something about this reminds me of how the warriors and ranked members of my old pack treated the omegas and slaves. It sounds like she was assaulted.
“She is half human,” he tells me. “It looks like she doesn’t have a wolf spirit, but we don’t know for sure yet.”
“Yes, her wolf spirit could be hiding, or too hurt to come to the surface,” I mutter, thinking about my own situation.
“Don’t worry, Benj,” Marcellus says. “I am sure your wolf will talk to you soon. You are getting stronger and more confident each day, and he will feed off that. Don’t lose hope.”
“I won’t,” I assure him.
“Good, then I’ll leave the rest of it to you and go and pick up our new pack members,” he says.
I wave him off, watching how he and Micah get into a truck, big enough to carry all the luggage Percy and Lori might have, and drive away.
I am delighted that we are getting new pack members, although at the same time, mostly for sad reasons that they are coming.
However, this pack is amazing, and it gives everyone a fair second chance and time to heal.
When I arrived here, no one pushed me around, no one insulted or judged me.
They gave me the time and patience I needed.
I will do the same for our new members.
Together with Lucian, I help make sure everything is as ready as it can be.
“So, you’ll be joining my training?” he asks out of the blue.
I look up at the vampire in shock. “What? Who said that?”
“I said it,” he says with a smirk. “Lord Silas told me you’re going to become gamma.”
“That’s not going to happen anytime soon, I-“
“It will happen soon,” he says. “So, congratulations! You were just handpicked for my training, by me personally. It’s a great honor because I usually only let wolves watch, and not join in.”
I stare at him, hoping he will tell me he is joking.
“You should close your mouth, or you might catch a fly in it,” he says with a grin. “Man, am I that much of a bully that you are terrified of my training?”
“You have a certain reputation,” I confess.
“Well, you will be able to test it out soon,” he says smugly.
He is enjoying this way too much, but something about the way he teases and prods me makes me feel an unusual surge of stubbornness. “I am not going to be an easy victim,” I say.
“Oh!” Lucian raises his brows. “Well then, I am even more curious to see how you will cope. I will make it worth your while.”
“So will I,” I say.
I thought I may have gone too far, but instead of being annoyed, Lucian looks weirdly content, and for a split second, I can even feel his presence stir in my mind.
You liked that? I ask my wolf. I promise I will make good use of that training.
A feeling of contentment seems to flood me. It has to be my wolf spirit. It seems he is getting stronger!
Listen, I say. I know you are trying your hardest to connect with me, and I promise you I will fight for both of us. I can’t wait to meet you, but I will be patient and not rush you.
I feel another surge of feelings coming through to me, and I swear I hear him growl contentedly.
His reaction pushes me forward to try even harder and work more on myself, so I throw myself into my work.
I make sure to be there for Silas as a backup when the first charge of new pack members arrives.
They all look exhausted and terrified, and I make sure to stay in the background and handle their luggage, instead of interacting with them directly, not wanting to terrify them further.
Silas and Sheila are better at handling this.
Minute for minute, however, I feel myself getting more and more giddy.
I’m not sure why. Maybe because I felt my wolf today?
The feeling doesn’t ease, but only gets stronger, until I see Marcellus’ truck driving over the rocky road towards our pack.
When he halts and the door opens, I can smell it.
Lavender. Like the one my former nanny used to put on my pillows to make me sleep better.
The only happy moments of my childhood were when she was around.
And mandarin.
Like the tea Silas made on my first day in Sunset Hills.