Chapter Twenty-Three

Mark never came back the rest of the afternoon. Meg and I talked about the plans to get the both of us out of town. She had a feeling that something bad was going to happen, and the fact that Mark had caught someone in the house, earlier in the day, trying to find something, made me believe the fact that we were both in terrible danger.

"Think you can handle all of this, princess?" Meg laughed.

"Don't call me that." I glared at her. "And yes, I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. I mean, I did beat you and your mate with a lead to get my horses back."

"Which I will repay you back in time." She scoffed. "But for now, let's focus on learning more about the Council and what they're after. You aren't allowed to leave for another year right?"

"Yeah, I just turned eighteen. They aren't allowing me to go until after I turn nineteen now. For some fucked up reason, they had changed it after the court hearing with my parents." I mumbled angrily.

"They do that, from what I've learned about them. They want something from you, but until we know-"

"They want the Magnus's bloodline." John came around the corner, making us both jump. "What is she doing here? Morgan if you get caught-"

"It's fine John. Meg is Mark's sister, and she was just leaving." I nodded at her.

"I'll be back in two days time. Thomas and I are going to do some more recon, see what we can figure out. Don't forget what I told you. Do your best to get him out of his head." She pointed her finger at me. I simply nodded. Meg walked past John and out the door she went.

"Ugh! So much going on and way too soon. Have you heard from Brina?" I motioned for John to sit.

"Yeah, she still feels horrible leaving, but apparently that vision she had on your birthday really fucked her up and she had to get training. She was allowed to leave at eighteen, but I don't know why you aren't allowed until you're nineteen." John rubbed his stubbled jaw before moving his hand to the back of his neck. "This is all too much." He chuckled softly.

"You're telling me. My head is killing me." I laid my head in my hands. I felt my side pulsing, Sabrina was reaching out through our talisman. At least I know she's safe. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that sensation in my hip from the talisman." I sighed, shaking my head.

John rested a hand on my forearm. "You're not alone, kiddo. Talk to me."

"It's just Mark. Something about mating and him losing control if he doesn't finish the mating process, and he's not even here. I don't know where he's at. I just- there's so much going on- I don't know where to begin to process it all. Mark caught someone here today, John, in my home. They were looking for the 'room' apparently. I don't know why. But this feeling of doom is now starting to linger more. I just hope Brina come's back soon. I could really use her right now." I rambled on and on. John sat there, listening to every word I said till I started breaking down crying. He pulled me into a hug, sobs wreaking havoc on my body.

"Have you eaten yet?" John asked after a few minutes. I shook my head against his shoulder. I haven't had an appetite for days. I felt like my body was starting to breakdown. "Come on, lets get you some food." As if on queue, my stomach growled loudly. Both John and I chuckled.

"Yeah, I need to eat something. I don't remember the last time I've eaten."

John made some easy food and sat down at the table with me. We talked about everything that Meg and I had concocted in our time together. John and I compared notes on the Council to see if there was any other developments going on that we hadn't heard about. After a few hours, John left to go home. Albeit, protesting the entire way to the front door, I told him I would be safe and that Mark would be home anytime. However, I didn't even know if Mark was really coming home or not. I closed the door on John and locked it. Turning towards the hallway to head to the room, I felt a surge of uneasiness. I waved my hand to create the known barrier that only Mark, Sabrina and I could walk through behind me and proceeded down the long hallway to the door. I had reached the door and before I could grab the handle, I felt hands grab my shoulders and flip me around, shoving me back against the door. I shrieked and whimpered as I hit the door. Mark's hands were holding onto my shoulders, his head down between his arms, panting and breathing heavily.

"Mark! Mark, what's wrong? Where have you been? What's going on? Why are you-" Before I could finish questioning Mark, he pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Mark?" I looked up into those damn beautiful, cobalt blue eyes. He stared back at me, before leaning down and kissing me. Electric sparks flew throughout my body. A whole wave of emotions flooded me, coursing through my blood. Our lips moved in sync slowly. His scent filling my whole being. He gently, but forcibly shoved me into the door, his body caging me against the door. He hoisted me up against the door, my legs wrapping around his waist. A soft growl escaped from his throat, vibrating through my whole body. He released my lips, moving his down my jawline to my collarbone.

"Mark..." I moaned out. "Mark, talk to me." I gently pushed him away from my collarbone. I looked into his eyes. They were dark, lustfilled. He growled, resting his forehead against mine. "You're worrying me."

"I have to complete- but I just can't." He breathed. I wrapped my arms around his neck. The usual sparks flying through my body, his body shuddered against my touch.

"Why can't you?" I kissed the tip of his nose.

"I wanted to wait. But I can't any longer. If I don't complete it, I- I could go feral, more so than a rogue can." I lifted his chin up, forcing him to make eye contact with me.

"I need you at your full strength babe. It's okay, lets finish this."

"No!" He dropped my legs to make me stand, still caging me against the door. "I-I-I can make it till-" He collapsed in front of me.

"Mark! Mark, babe, wake up! Please wake up!" I lowered my head to his mouth, he's still breathing. Thank God. "Babe, come on, lets go in. I am going to need your help though." I laughed, throwing one of his arms over my shoulder to help him to his feet.

"Morgan, I- I'm sorry. If I don't- I can't, it's not fair to you."

"Mark, we've had two and a half years to do this. I think it's about time." I giggled, unlocking the door and using my magic to make Mark a little bit lighter for me to carry him.

"Are you sure?" I leaned him against the wall near the staircase. He looked at me, sorrow filling his eyes. "I wanted to wait till the wedding, but the more time goes on, the weaker I get." I kissed his lips.

"Mark, babe, it's okay." I pulled his hand as I ascended the staircase to my room. Our eyes never losing contact, a smile etched on my face. "Let's get you back to your strength, shall we?" I arched an eyebrow on him, the smile never leaving my face. He growled and nipped at me, smiling devishly. With the last bit of strength he could muster, he scooped me in his arms and rushed up the stairs, entering his bedroom and slamming the door with his foot. I was laughing the entire time, his eyes never leaving mine, a smile growing across his face. He walked over to the bed and laid me down gently.

His body leaned over me, his lips colliding with mine as he maneuvered his body over mine. With each kiss, the heat in my body spiked, his hands moving over my body. Our mouths parted just enough to catch our breaths. Breathing deeply, he made eye contact with me.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes. I love you, Mark. I want this more than anything."

"I love you too, Morgan. I promise I'll be gentle." He kissed my jaw down to my collarbone, I felt his elongated teeth brushing against my skin. I felt a slight prick before he sank his teeth deep into the skin around my collarbone, undoing every part of me. He licked my neck over his bite marks and pulled back just slightly. He smiled softly at me, running his hand over my hair. "Are you ready?"

"I've been more than ready." I pulled his face down, meeting his lips with mine. Our lips entwining with each others, moving completely and harmonously together, our hands explored each others body's, ripping off our clothes in the process. He leaned back.

"You're so beautiful."

I blushed. He wrapped his arms around my waist as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He softly kissed my lips, starting the endless hours of love making that made us both completely whole.