Chapter Forty-Three

*Morgan's POV*

"Because she's Mr. Irving's daughter!" I yanked my arm out of Marks grasp, rubbing it, I turned away from him. "Violet, what are you doing here? Where is Nathaniel?"

"Morgan. Sabrina." She nodded at us, taking a deep breath in before responding. "I have some news my father wished to tell you; however, he was held up by the Council and couldn't make it out to you, so I am coming in his stead. As I told Alpha, Nathaniel is sleeping. He will be here soon. My house isn't far away. I'll explain everything inside, please." She gestured towards the house. "May we venture inside?" Sabrina and I looked at each other, nodding, we motioned for Meg to follow.

Mark's rage was coming off him in waves. We all know Violet was dangerous, but we needed her on our side. She wasn't indifferent towards us, but the Council still had a hold on her. She could only do so much. I glared at Mark as I passed him by, walking into the house. I felt his rage strengthen, then diminish in a matter of seconds. I couldn't care less at this point. What I wanted to know was why Violet felt the need to keep Mark asleep and why she was the one to keep him away for so long.

"Morgan?" I looked up at Sabrina, who nodded behind me. I turned around, seeing Mark sulk as he followed us. His puppy dog eyes met mine and I nearly melted. I glared back at him, turning to face forward, quickening my steps towards the kitchen.

"I'm going to grab some drinks, I'll meet all of you downstairs. The rest of the pack is down there as well. We all need to discuss what needs to be done and make a plan of action." They all nodded at me; Sabrina, Meg and Violet turning to head towards the staircase that led downstairs. Mark stood there, his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. "What do you want, Mark?"

Scratching the back of his neck, he looks up at me. "Do you need any help?"

"Nope, I have James waiting for me in the kitchen." I turned on my heel and walked away from him. A menacing growl ripped through the hallway behind me. Turning my head slightly, I noticed Mark's eyes turning black. I stop midstep, turn and fold my arms over my chest. I meet his eyes with my own glare, not backing down. I could hear James scrambling in the kitchen, making his way towards the swinging door that led from the kitchen to the hallway.

"Alpha! You're back!" He gasped. Noticing Marks eyes, James tried to step between us, but I shook my head. James eyed me suspicioulsy, before stepping back to take his place behind me, bowing to us both.

"You have something you want to say, Mark?" My voice a deadly tone, giving him the chance to back down. He took two, long steps towards me, barely reaching an arms distance length from me. I raised my chin in confidence and defiance towards him. He doesn't scare me.

"Why are you not allowing us to help, but another he-wolf?" A dark, brooding voice boomed from Mark. I glared at him, his eyes were blacker than the darkness of night.

"While I know this is not your fault for being gone so long, I am pissed at you. Not only did you embarrass me and make me look like a piece of property to others, you hurt me and didn't bother to apologize. Instead when I told you that you were hurting me, you ignored me and squeezed harder. Your trust issues will be the reason we fail. If I say something, then believe it. Don't antagonize me and, under no fucking circumstances, do you ever disrespect me in front of others again. You want me to be a Luna, YOUR LUNA, then treat me as an equal and DO NOT disregard me AGAIN! Do I make myself clear?" Although my appearance was calm, my voice wavered. I stood there, matching Marks eyes with my own. I was always told never to make eye contact, especially with an Alpha, because it's a sign of a challenge. However, I am his mate, and I will challenge him how I see fit. He may be stronger than me, but damn it if my stubbornness fades out in the end. I saw him huff and grumble incoherently before going back to sulking.

"I guess I will go and help the others downstairs. I'm sure the pack is anxiously awaiting to see if I returned safely." His gaze dropped from mine, turning towards the door leading to the staircase downstairs, he paused for a second. "You're right. You aren't my property and I am sorry for what I did. I was trying to protect you."

I scoffed. "Mark, I can protect myself too, ya know. Maybe understand something, you aren't always around. That's why I train and that's why I practice every damn day. You disappear sometimes on me, and what can I do if you're gone? I have to protect myself, too." I sigh. "I can't keep relying on you to always be there anymore. I have to take care of myself." His head wheeled around so fast, I could have sworn he was going to get whiplash. His eyes widened, fear coming off him in waves.

"Wh-wh-what do you m-m-m-mean by that?" He stuttered. His whole body froze and I felt James do the same. Fear radiated off both of them. I sighed, shaking my head.

"I mean, I have to protect myself. I can't rely on you to always be there to protect me." I looked up at him, tears were brimming in his eyes, threatening to spill over. "You have responsibilities and I cannot involve the pack in what's going on. They're all innocent in the point. They're only after me. They want me. They made that pretty obvious, and you can't protect me forever. I have to rely on myself and protect myself. I-I-I" I gulped, wanting to dispell the words I didn't want to say to the man of my dreams. "I feel it would be best if we stepped away from each other for a bit. I need to think and I need space. I have to train more. Once the briefing is done, I will be in that training room, preparing for whatever is coming next. I don't want to be bothered." It was like venom on my tongue. Every part of me felt broken, watching the tears fall from Marks face.

I turned away, heading into the kitchen, trying to keep my own tears at bay.