7
Marion
My eyes fluttered open, and I stretched as I moved my hands over the mattress. I couldn't find Denzel. Where was he? A sudden feeling of panic clutched my chest as I jolted to a sitting position, still feeling a little sore from our activity. I had been asleep for goddess knows how long that I wasn't able to tell when he left. From the color of the skies which had a sliver of the morning darkness, I had to assume it was almost morning. I rose to my feet and saw a man standing by the tree line. It was him. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as memories of when he held me shrouded my thoughts. But I couldn't help the feeling of why he was out there alone. What could he be doing out in the cold? He was supposed to be here with me, wrapped around my arms.
I traipsed toward him, hoping we could handle his problem together because there was uneasiness weighing on his chest. I felt it. Clearing the distance between us, I placed my hands on his shoulder, giving him an endearing squeeze. He didn't flinch as I held him, neither did he turn to me or say a word to me. It made me wonder if I did anything wrong. I didn't force him into anything that happened between us, and he enjoyed every bit of the moment. What I didn't understand was that he was here alone and wasn't saying anything to me? The first thing that crossed my mind was the thought of him leaving. I couldn't bear it, not after he had made me all those promises of staying with me through thick and thin. Had I known I wouldn't have forced him into this. I just would have taken it slow. But did I force it? Did I force him? I didn't even know what to think anymore. I was just confused. “Are you going to say a word to me or not?” I quizzed.
“Marion, I'm sorry.” He stated and stepped away from me. I tried to touch him, but he shook his head, backpedaling. My shoulders fell as a feeling of sadness weighed on my chest.
“About what?” I shrugged. He walked toward me and took my hands.
“I know we didn't talk about me marking you, and I acted impulsively. I'm sorry if I scared you.”
“You didn't scare me, Denzel. What happened back there was one of the most genuine sensations I have ever felt. Yes, I'm ok with you marking me. Now come, let's go back to bed. We have a big day ahead of us today.” I pulled him into a hug and held him tightly just until I felt he had gotten a sufficient amount of my warm embrace. Sighing, I took his hands, leading him back to the bed and lying with him. I understood him completely. At least he was better than the last person I had a thing with who wasn't emotionally available even for a second.
“Can you please stop thinking about your ex? I might have to rip his head off if I see him. It's ruining the moment for me.” He whispered into my ears, and I looked up at him with a questioning gaze.
“Wait, how do you…?”
“I’ll explain. It’s the mating bond. When I marked you, we bonded. The bond is not yet complete, but it enables us to know what we are feeling and sense each other's thoughts.”
“That’s how I knew you were anxious. Did you hear those thoughts of me thinking I roped you into this?”
“Yes, I did. You didn't force me into anything. What happened between us was something I desired.”
“Do you have to hear my thoughts every time? That's like an invasion of privacy although I've got nothing to hide, but it's really weird thinking about it.” I chuckled nervously, hoping that I didn't spill from this little action that I truly had something to hide.
“I can put up a wall and not hear them. But I'll always know when you're hurting, so I can be there for you and protect you if I have to.” He laid a kiss on my shoulder and smiled.
“So I heard there's a party happening tonight at the pack house.”
“It’s more like a ball. The unification ball.” He answered.
“I mean, I would love to come with if you got an invitation.”
“The Alpha invited everyone, Marion. Besides, I would love you to be there with me as my date.” He smiled and pulled me into a kiss.
“I would appreciate that.”
“Now hush, mate. Let's get some rest before morning.”
I stretched as my eyes fluttered open and saw myself lying in Denzel’s bedroom. I shot to a sitting position, my eyes still adjusting to the ray of light pouring directly at me. Did he practically move me from the back porch to his room in my sleep? Goddess, I wish I was awake to look into his eyes as his enormous arms wrapped around me. I rustled out of bed and the first thing I saw was the tuxedo at the corner of the room. With a smile on my face, I sauntered toward it. It had a note in the pocket, and I pulled it out, reading through it swiftly. I bit back a smile as I chuckled at his words.
To my little darkness, Marion.
I put back the note in the pocket and moved toward his wardrobe. I pulled out a shirt and brought it close to my nostrils, inhaling a lungful of his scent. Damn, his scent sent a thrill of primal need through me, and I just wanted to be close to him all day. I beamed and wore the oversized shirt as I sauntered into the bathroom. I went through the regular morning ritual of washing and brushing, then I changed into a new set of clothes. Denzel’s clothes.
Today I was going to tell Frey about the decision I had taken about the bloodline curse, considering my life was on the line. I made a quick breakfast. Now all set to meet with Frey, I sauntered out of the house, shut the door and headed straight to the pack house to meet with the Luna. Fortunately for me, she was in the dining hall with the Alpha, tending to their kids. The chatter and laughter coming from the family as they fought through morning breakfast was basically radiant, and it reminded me of my family as well. It was a Saturday. I presumed the kids woke up late today and needed to spend more time with their parents. “Dad, Annalise is having three cookies. I only have two.” Austin argued.
“You can have as many cookies as you want, Austin.” Frey chuckled. She poured Jada, who was sitting next to her, a glass of juice. Her gaze finally landed on me, and she smiled. “Marion, I've been expecting you. Come on, join us.” Frey invited me over to breakfast.
“Good morning, Alpha, Luna,” I trotted toward them and tilted my head in submission. “You don't have to worry, Luna. I'm filled. I'll wait for you in the common room.”
“Whatever you say,” she shrugged with a beam. “Here you go, Jada. More cookies, eat up. You're still growing.” Frey said with concern, putting more food on Jada’s plate.
“Thanks, mom.” Jada smiled.
I turned on my heels and sauntered out of the dining hall, making myself comfortable in the living room. I stayed there for almost an hour, keeping to my thoughts, until Frey returned to the common room alone. “Hey, how are you feeling?”
“Better actually. There has been no signs of my episodes. I told Denzel everything, and he agreed to help. This is dangerous, and I wouldn't want him to follow me. I wouldn't bear it if any harm comes to him.” I said with uncertainty in my eyes.
“That’s not my decision to make. Trust me, my father has a way of pulling through every difficult situation.”
“He does.”
“I'll send everything you need for the journey to his house. Have you guys talked about when you're leaving?”
“After the ball. Possibly tomorrow.” I nodded.
“Alright.“
“Thank you so much for your help.”
“Of course. You're a fellow witch, and we're meant to protect each other.”
I left the manor and returned to my home to pack my belongings for the journey. To be sincere, I was completely anxious about the fruits these journeys would bear and sometimes I had to wonder if this was the right choice. If I was making the right decision. I didn't know how long we were going to stay outside the pack, so I packed just enough that would last me a week. By the time I was done with my home chores, I headed to the combat training exercise at the training grounds. This time, I actually participated and caught up with other witches. After the day's training, I returned to my house, took the backpack required for the journey, and moved straight to my mate's home.
I walked through the front door, sauntered down into the foyer, and appeared in the living room. I set down my bags on the couch and walked to the kitchen to get a bottle of water to quench my thirst. When I returned to the living room, I saw Denzel walking down the stairs looking irresistibly handsome in a black tuxedo that barely contained his muscles and accentuated his majestic nature. For a second, I thought he was a Greek god. He gelled his hair backwards, strands of dark brown and white interlacing with each other. He trimmed his beard, and the smirk on his face made him look even more ridiculously charming. My mate held his jacket in hands with a smile and said, “Marion, you’re not ready yet?” I didn't even know what to say. I didn't even know he was speaking to me until he was up close. My entire life, I had never seen a man so beautiful, so enticing. “I’m sorry I left all day. The pack needed me.” Denzel smiled, still exuding that aura of dominance. He pulled me into an embrace. I gulped, shaking my head slightly as I held him in the tight hug.
“I, uh, I was preparing for the journey, you know.”
“Ah, yes. Frey sent out the things you required. I already packed it in a box,” he smiled and held my cheeks, petting it softly. “You are not dressed yet. We're going to be late.”
“Good things take time, mate.” I beamed sheepishly as I pulled him into a kiss. A stifled squeal escaped my lips as he wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me closer, invading my tongue and tasting me.
“Fuck.” I moaned in his mouth, and I heard his wolf growl.
“Moan like that again, and I'll have to take you right here on this couch.” He pulled off from the kiss and leaned on my forehead.
“I would love you to, but we'd be late. Come on, let me go, so I can bath and dress up for the ball.” I held his cheeks and smiled.
“Go.” He said, and I hurried upstairs, still longing for his passionate touch.