Chapter 15

**Marilyn**

I woke up in Daniel's arms feeling better than I had since I got here. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest now I had broken down and told Daniel how I felt.
I guess I just needed to know that I wouldn't wake up in love with him only to find out he resented me. Now I felt we really had a chance, that I could be happy again if I let myself.
"How you feeling Princess?" Daniel asked, his voice still husky with sleep.
"Much better thank you," I told him slightly embarrassed. I know I shouldn't have been but I did hit him.
He kissed my forehead and got out of bed heading to the shower.
Fifteen minutes later he came out, hair dripping wet, towel wrapped around his waist not even knowing the effect he had on me.
He went straight into the closet. He came out fully dressed in jeans and and a polo shirt looking edible.
"Where are you going?" I asked disappointed that he was leaving again.
"Rick wants to see me. He says it's urgent. I'll be back for lunch though."
"Okay."
"I'm trusting you to stay put. I was going to send some guards but I decided to consider this your first test. I want to earn your trust so I'll start by giving you mine. I won't tell you what to do or not do while I'm gone but just know that I'll have to punish you for any mishaps."
With those words he closed the door and left.

**Daniel**

I walked to Rick's office with a lot on my mind. Last night Marilyn told me how she really felt and I never thought it was possible for someone to feel so many different emotions.
The part that bothered me the most was that she didn't think I actually wanted to be with her. That one day I would leave her or end up hating her because she made a mistake. What kind of guy would I have to be to lead her on like that? To break her in the worst possible way. Did she really think I'd be going through all this just to leave her? Didn't she see that she was all I ever wanted since the day I found out what a mate was?
All these questions swirled through my mind not giving me a moments peace. I even found myself asking questions that I never thought I would like what the hell was it going to take to get through to her? Did I even want to get try to get through to her any more?
I couldn't sleep so I woke about four in the morning. I was about to go for a walk to clear my head when I looked over and saw her face. I could still see the tear stains and I realized that she was hurting, just like I was. She didn't even realize I was awake as I stared at her thinking about all the conversations from the moment she got here. I realized then what was missing, trust.
She didn't trust me because we still needed to build that trust, not as mates but as individuals. Sure I took her out and we talked but it takes time to build the kind of relationship I wanted with her. I knew deep down she knew I would never betray her but her words last night let me know a piece of her was unsure and that was enough to open my eyes.
I went back to sleep determined to earn her trust. I got up to take a shower, a million things running through my mind. I was just about to send for two guards when it hit me. I needed to take the first step, show her that she already had my trust and it was safe to give me hers. Confining her and ordering someone to watch her every move was no way to do that. I could leave her alone, even though I worried for her safety, we had to start somewhere. As a man I could do that, shoulder the responsibility, take control, lead us in the right direction. I was more than willing to put in the work because I knew that I needed her in my life. She wasn't perfect but she was mine.
I knocked on the door and heard Rick order me to come in. He was sitting behind his desk with his with feet on top of it, hands behind his head.
"Have a seat Daniel," he said nodding to the chair in front. I sat down a little nervous about his attitude. He was too relaxed, that was never good.
"Do you know why I called you here? " he asked giving me his sinister smirk.
"No alpha," I said not making direct eye contact.
"Daniel I'm shocked at your behavior. I would expect better from you."
I had no clue what the hell he was talking about so I said nothing.
"You're mate has been on my territory for sometime now. Yet she has not come to ask my permission to join my pack."
Shit. I didn't even bother to ask her about joining with everything else going on. He usually didn't make a big fuss when it came to mates. Something must have pissed him off. Especially since he didn't mention it until now.
"I'm sorry alpha. My apologizes."
"I'm afraid sorry won't cut it. She comes from another territory and I know nothing about her. She could be dangerous to my pack. I know she's your mate but that doesn't mean she isn't a spy or the sister of a rogue determined to bring me down. I won't have it."
"What do you propose sir?" I asked nervous about the answer.
"You are to have her here in lets say three hours time since I'm feeling generous. I'll ask her whatever I see fit. If I don't consider her a threat she is free to join. Otherwise you know the consequences. If she passes, her ceremony will have to be tonight. So if she hasn't made up her mind about joining by then, she's banished. Dismissed."
Well damn.

**Ryland**

"Haley!" I screamed banging on her door. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed answers.
"What the hell Ryland," she said furiously.
"Where is she?" I asked not caring that she pissed.
"Where's who? "
"Don't play dumb with me you know who I'm talking about. Where the fuck is my mate I need to talk to her?"
"You're too late. She's gone."
"No. It's never too late. Tell me where she is. She kissed me and left. I deserve to know why."
She looked at me sympathetically and it only worsened my mood. I didn't want or need her sympathy.
"I took her to the airport. She went back to Phoenix."
"Phoenix, Arizona?"
She nodded. There was no time to waste I had to see her.
"Thanks."