CHAPTER 10

**Nadine’s First Life: Rescue**
It was dark in the cave so she couldn’t figure him out. Nadine was about to scream when his strong hands clamped over her mouth to silence her. She trembled in fear while waiting for his attack. It was a matter of life and death but all she could think about was Marcus Caldwell.
“It’s me, Nadine,” he told her.
She couldn’t be mistaken by his voice. There was no way it was someone else, but she wondered why she didn’t recognize the scent coming from his body. When he spoke again, she was able to confirm his identity.
“Marcus!” She exclaimed after breathing a sigh of relief. Without further ado, she threw herself into him.
“What the hell were you thinking? You knew that the woods were dangerous!”
“I wanted to see you,” she replied.
“But why, Nadine?
Nadine pouted her lips and said, “I don’t know. I really don’t know, Marcus. I just missed you a lot. Did you know I was so scared earlier? Thank you for coming on time!” Then she hugged him tightly while continuously sniffing his armpit. It has been a habit since they were kids.
“Do you even have an idea what my beta did just to save your pretty face?” Marcus asked angrily, but when Nadine became pale, he darted his eyes away.
Nadine frowned after she distanced herself from Marcus. She remembered hearing the sounds of gunshots earlier. Did his beta fire some shots too? “Why did you have to use guns? You could have just trampled those guys with your claws, or bite them!”
Marcus groaned and replied, “In a broad daylight? Do you think it’s a good idea if someone will find those dead bodies?”
“I’m sorry,” she apologized as soon as she understood what he was trying to tell her. Marcus was right. They were not living in the woods like in the old times. They were in a prosperous town of Deathfall led by a Lycan King, Lord Alexander.
Deathfall was a unique settlement where werewolves could co-exist with humans. It has wildlife which was of great importance to the wolves of Deathfall. It was majestic and common homes have ebony wood rooftops, and stone veneer walls. Several packs of wolves including White Pride and her father’s pack, Midnight have existed in Deathfall. Amongst the wolves, humans also lived in Deathfall and the town has a developing economy that was mainly supported by trade.
“Sorry? Next time, Nadine, try to be considerate of others. You can’t be selfish forever,” he chastised her for her childish behavior. Then, he shook his head in disbelief that his mate was lacking in several aspects. She was rude and selfish. She was already eighteen but her wolf wasn’t awake yet. She was a spoiled brat who had no idea how to care for others.
“I’m really sorry, Marcus. I didn’t mean to cause some trouble,” she explained. “Besides, what happened today was meant to happen under any circumstances!”
“Obviously, you haven’t learned anything from the incident. Anyway, you better take off your clothes now and dry them. You can’t afford to get sick while being stranded inside this cave,” he suggested.
“No, I can’t do it, Marcus. How can you expect me to strip my clothes while you are here?” She refused to take off her clothes because she believed it wasn’t modest.
“Nadine, there's no place for modesty right now. Do you want to get sick?” He said angrily to him.
“Your clothes are also wet, don't tell me, you'll also take off your clothes to dry them?” It was a tactless question. The man did not answer but turned around and went to the other side of the cave. When Marcus would choose to be silent, she knew he has reached his limit, so without saying anything more, she started taking off her clothes. One by one, she took them off her body.
“If you're done, you can come here. I made a pallet to sit on using leaves. We can rest here in the meantime,” Marcus suggested.
She didn’t take off her undergarments because she was ashamed to let him see her naked form. Even though it was dark around, she was still not comfortable being naked with him. While she was contemplating whether to go to him or not, she heard his angry voice again.
“Why didn't you take it all off?” Marcus criticized the woman when he saw that she was still wearing her undergarments.
“No way!” Nadine stubbornly followed the man.
“Nadine, don't test my patience tonight!” He yelled at her.
“But Marcus, it's embarrassing!”
“Okay,” Marcus said and approached the woman and before Nadine could react, he tore her undergarments from her body.
Nadine sighed at the rapid pace of events. “How dare you! Why did you have to do that?” She shouted at Marcus but he just ignored her and turned around. She had no choice but to follow him around, and when he sat down on the pallet of leaves he has made, she wished there were no insects nearby as she joined him.
“Relax, Nadine,” he said in a low voice.
“Relax? How can I just relax when I have no idea if you are also naked or not?”
“I am naked. Do you have a problem with that? I can’t get sick, Nadine, and you know that” he responded.
“Are you not ashamed?”
“No. Why should I be ashamed when it’s just the two of us here?”
When he asked that question, Nadine realized that Marcus probably didn’t see her as a woman with a nice figure and a beautiful face. He probably didn’t consider mating with her even if they were mates. He probably didn’t want to do it with her!
“You don’t want me as a woman,” she voiced out her concern.
Upon hearing it, Marcus laughed, and then he wondered what was inside her head. She was overthinking again for goodness sake! For an eighteen-year-old girl, she was so stubborn and aggressive! It wasn’t right for a young girl like Nadine to act recklessly!
“Now is not the right time to discuss it, Nadine. If there’s something you should do right now, it is to repent for causing trouble! God, I can’t believe this! You really love to cause trouble, don’t you?”
Nadine’s mouth twitched as he accused her of always causing trouble! “That’s not true, Marcus!” She disagreed with his statement.
“Oh really? Do I have to remind you what happened on the night of your eighteenth birthday?” Marcus inquired, and then he clenched his teeth when he recalled the details.
Nadine had something to say regarding the matter but the snapping of branches outside the cave brought them back to their senses. They were both alerts! When they heard another gunshot, they looked at each other.
“It’s a waste of bullets, don’t you think?” Nadine whispered.
“He can’t use his strength against the enemies, and you know that,” he whispered back.
“Whatever,” she said after taking a deep breath to calm down. Despite being with Marcus, she was worried that she may die naked inside the cave. It would be embarrassing!
“They’re gone. You have nothing to worry about, Nadine. Why don’t you take a rest for now?”
“Do you think it’s a good idea?” She asked but she would be glad to rest a little bit. She was indeed sleepy as she wasn’t able to have a better sleep last night.
“Yes, go on,” he answered.
A few minutes has passed when he heard her steady breathing. Then, he sighed in relief. Finally, he could open his eyes. Earlier, he just pretended to be busy but he just didn’t want her to know he was having a hard time controlling himself. The sight of her beautiful body made him ache pleasantly!
“Marcus…,” she purred in her sleep.