Chapter Thirty-Two

I lay next to a sleeping Mark after hours of crazy, amazing sex. I knew he was still angry about what had happened yesterday, but I also knew he was glad I was safe. Trying to adjust myself out of his arms, I made my way to the edge of the bed. I sat there for a moment, thinking about everything that had happened up until this point. *'What did the Council want with me?'* Shaking my head, I stood up. For a second, pain flooded my body from the shit that happened the night before. I decided that I needed a shower to scrub Raymond's touch off my body.

*Raymond*.

Never in my life did I think I would end up in this much trouble over keeping my family safe, keeping the lineage going, the lineage that Sabrina and I are so desperately trying to keep safe. We're trying to keep each other safe. Keep our family safe. I walk over to my dresser and pull out my black and faded blue sports bra, a pair of black leggings and my black socks. I hate when I sweat and it shows through my clothes. I quietly close each drawer, careful not to make any sudden noises that would make Mark wake up.

Mark.

I look behind me at a sleeping Mark still on my bed. I don't know what would have happened if he never showed up last night when he did, or even at all. I would have been at the mercy of Raymond's touch. The thought sends shivers up my spine, and not in a good way either. I quietly tip-toe to the bathroom door. I reach for the knob before Marks voice is right against my ear.

"What're you doing up so early?"

I jump and turn towards him, a devilish smirk forming on his lips. His eyes void of any humor. I shake my head, placing my hand over my beating heart.

"Damn it, Mark! You almost gave me a heart attack! What're you doing awake?"

Ignoring my question completely, Mark looks me up and down before grabbing my wrist and pulling me away from the bathroom.

"Come on, you can change in my bathroom. We have a lot of training to do today, so there's no point in taking a shower."

"But there is a point!" I shout, yanking my wrist from his grasp. He turns towards me, warning showing in his eyes not to argue with him. "I need to scrub that creeps touch from my body. I can still smell his nasty cologne and I need to burn my skin off. Mark, I need to shower. It's not even about washing away sweat, it's washing away what happened last night." His eyes soften just a little, before all emotion fades from his eyes.

"Alright, but you can shower in my shower. Let's go."

"I just need to grab my towel and toiletries, I know you don't have my razor in your shower." He gruffs before walking out of my room. *'What is with him today?'* I shake my head, turning back towards my bathroom door. A sudden chill flowing up my spine. I turn the knob, expecting the Boogeyman to jump out at me. The room is pitch black. I cautiously reach for the light switch, hitting it and making the room flood with light. It blinds me for a moment, yielding my arm to cover my eyes.

As my eyes adjust, I walk into the room. I feel a shiver go up my spine, forcing goosebumps to form on my skin. There's something bad in here, I can feel it. I start grabbing everything I need, as quickly as possible, I might add. I turned to realize the shower curtain was closed. I tried remembering if I had closed the shower curtain, but quickly realize that I didn't. Someone else had been here! Someone else had been in my room!

I swallow the lump forming in my throat, reaching for the curtain. My hands shaking, my breath coming out in slight gasps, I grab ahold of the curtain and yank it open. The site in front of me caused an ear piercing scream to leave my throat. I try scrambling backwards out of the bathroom, tripping over a bottle and landing on my ass. I inched my way quickly on my bottom away from the tub. There in front of me, sitting in the tub, his throat slit from side to side causing a large hole in his throat, was John. Uncle John. Tears welled up in my eyes. Scurrying to my feet, I ran out of the bathroom to collide with Mark who raced into my bedroom.

"What? What is it? What happened? Morgan, breathe! Talk to me, what happened?!" I wrapped my arms around Marks shoulders, sobs wreaking havoc on my body. I start to slide to the ground, my legs slowly giving out on me, when Mark leads my body safely to my knees, still holding on to me for dear life.

"Tub - bathroom - John - dead." I managed to get out between sobs. I feel Mark's body tense in my hold, one hand rubbing up and down my back, the other holding my head against his shoulder.

"What?" He pulls my head back gently to look me in the eyes.

"John's dead! His throat - throat open." I sobbed harder. Mark released his hold on me, standing and heading to the bathroom. A string of curses left his mouth, and before I knew it, I was scooped into his arms and out of my bedroom onto the landing to the stairs. Mark released my legs slowly, helping me stand up. I threw my arms around his shoulders again, sobbing harder than ever. Mark tenses for just a second. A voice was in the hallway, but it was faint. He holds me closer, waiting to see who it was before releasing me.

"Morgan? Morgan? Are you in there? Morgan, the living room is trashed. What the hell is going on?" Sabrina! I couldn't move, I couldn't process that Sabrina was actually here. I turn my head slightly from Marks shoulder to see her shadow emerge from the hallway leading to our secret rooms. "Morgan? What in the fuck? What the hell happened here?! Morgan?! Morgan where are - WHO THE FUCK IS DEAD ON THE FLOOR?!" Mark releases me. Bolting down the stairs and straight to Sabrina, wrapping my arms around her, hugging her for dear life. Sobs wracked my body once more as I felt Sabrina sigh in relief, knowing I was safe.

"Sabrina! You're here. You're actually here. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry Sabrina. I'm sorry! I couldn't protect him. I tried so hard to protect him, but I couldn't, I-I, I was too weak. Please forgive me. I couldn't protect him." I couldn't focus on anything else to say. How was I to break the news to her?

"Morgan, it's okay. What're you sorry for? I'm here, ssshhhh. Everything is going to be okay. You wanna explain what happened here and why the house is in complete disaray? Who couldn't you protect?" I could hear the smile on her face with just her tone. "And maybe explain why they'res a dead man on the floor?" I couldn't form any words.

I felt Mark's hand tugging on me to release Sabrina. I notice her smile falters a bit at Marks grave expression.

"Mark, what's -"

"My sister is coming with some of my pack members to help clean up. There is something you need to see. I'm sorry, Sabrina. Upstairs, in Morgan's bathroom is where you need to go." I glance up at him through tear filled eyes, before looking back at Sabrina. Her face contorted with confusion, before slowly nodding her head. She gave me a short glance before heading towards the steps.

"Meg is here now. I'm going to go escort her in. You need to go comfort Sabrina. She's going to need you." He kisses the top of my head as he walks out the door. I wipe my eyes, knowing full well that Sabrina was going to start screaming at any moment. I raced up the steps, two by two, quickly making my way to my door before I heard her high pitch scream.

"Daddy! Dad! No! How could this happen? Daddy?! No, no, no!" I saw her scramble out of my room, running straight into me, sobs wracking her body as I held her close to me. I held her as tightly as I could. Her screams could be heard from the living room. Her body started giving out, as I clutched her closer to me, sinking to the ground with her. I didn't say anything. I just let her cry.

"Sabrina, lets go to your room." I whispered into her ear. I felt her head nod against my shoulder. I pulled her up with me as I stood. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, leading her to her room. I opened the door, walked in and helped her to her bed. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

She shook her head. "No. Would you hate me if I just want to be left alone for awhile?" She glances at me. Shaking my head, I helped her onto her bed and tucked her in.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect him. I'm so, so sorry Sabrina. I wish I could have protected him. I hope you don't hate me, I'm so, so sorry." I started sobbing. She grasped my hand, a slight smile forming on her lips.

"It's not your fault, Morgan. I don't blame you. Daddy knew what could have happened. He was trying to keep both you and I safe." I nod. I stand up from her bed, feeling a slight weight lifted off my shoulders. I walk out her door, closing it slightly behind me. I hear some commotion in the hallway. I start to head downstairs when I heard Mark's voice.

"James! James what the fuck do you think you're doing? Get back here!" Just as I reached the top of the staircase, a burly, tattooed man with blonde hair and blue eyes rushed past me. He was extremely handsome, and about as tall as Mark. He haults to a stop, bowing his head at me. Confusion covered my face. He sniffed the air around me, making me involuntarily shiver. I forget that most of Mark's people are werewolves. I raise my eyebrow at him, making him clear his throat and shift awkwardly on his feet.

"I can smell her, where is she?" His soft voice is directed at me. He glances back at me, a dumbfound look on my face. "I asked you a question Luna, where is she?" *'Luna?'*

I am assuming he's talking about Sabrina. I point to her room at the far end of the landing. He smiles softly, nodding as he turned and rushed to her door. I followed swiftly behind him. He calmly opens her door, stepping into her room. Sabrina, now sitting at the edge of her bed, looks up at the both of us, her eyes red and puffy. I look up into Jame's eyes, seeing no longer blue, but a dark shade of purple. I follow his line of vision towards Sabrina. I gasp quietly.

James's smile grows larger on his face.

"Mate."