CHAPTER 14

**Nadine’s First Life: Taken**
After losing her father in a tragic accident, Nadine lost the desire to live. Her father died. Her mother remained unconscious in the hospital. Marcus betrayed her. So, why would she go on living? She just wanted to give up or follow her father!
“What’s wrong with you? You always have no appetite! Can’t you see that you’re losing weight?” Kate’s voice rose lightly when Nadine refused to eat her meals.
“I don’t care, Kate! I just want to die!” Nadine screamed.
“Nadine, what’s happening to you? If only he’s here, he knows how to calm you down,” Kate mumbled without mentioning a name but Nadine recognized whom she was referring to.
“He shouldn’t come here, Kate! Do you understand?” Nadine said angrily. “I wished he was the one who died instead of my father,” she whispered but Kate heard her. Nevertheless, she didn’t give a damn! She despised Marcus a lot for fooling her!
“Nadine!” Kate was surprised when Nadine screamed. “Look, if you don’t want to eat, then I better leave the pack and become a rogue. After all, you don’t need me anymore,” Kate stated.
For a moment, Nadine was dumbfounded as she stared at Kate. Would the woman really leave her? No, she couldn’t allow it to happen! Therefore, she immediately decided to eat her meal. One heavy meal for breakfast, then she was allowed to stay inside her room. She planned to stay inside until dinner time. Anyway, she had some snacks in the mini-fridge that was in her bedroom.
After eating, Nadine informed Kate that she needed to rest and that nobody should disturb her. Kate agreed and assured her that she could rest if she wanted to. She also informed Kate not to worry for her lunch since she would just have some yogurt. While being inside her room, Nadine wasted her time in Pinterest. She kept scrolling on quotes that could make her feel better after losing her father. However, she suddenly heard a knock.
“Marcus!” Nadine was surprised because he suddenly hugged her. He was only a white t-shirt and a blue denim. As usual, his hair was tied into a ponytail. Marcus was really very handsome.
“I'm sorry for your loss, baby. Collin and I just got back last night and I haven't brought my cell phone yet. I'm really sorry,” Marcus explained why he hadn't shown up to the woman these last few days.
As Marcus caressed her back, tears suddenly dripped from her eyes as she was touched by what the man had done. The pleasurable feeling that he sympathized with her has given her some strength to ensure what’s going on with her life.
“You should have told me that you already have a girlfriend, Marcus,” she confronted her as soon as possible. She has been dying to ask him that question, and finally, she could!
Marcus frowned at what he heard because he didn't know why Nadine learned about her girlfriend. “How did you know?”
Nadine broke away from his embrace and just stared at the man. It seemed like cold water had been poured onto her because of his response. He didn’t even try to deny it! “You already have a girlfriend, and yet, you kissed me! Why?”
Marcus chose not to answer Nadine's question because the woman couldn't understand him either. “How are you feeling?” He immediately changed the topic before Nadine would burst into tears.
“I’m not okay,” she responded while trying hard not to shed a tear in front of him, but she couldn’t stop her tears from coming out! Marcus handed her a handkerchief.
“Don't worry. I'm just here and I won't leave you, okay?” Marcus's promised
“Thanks. I don't know where to start now that Daddy is gone. I mean, I just turned eighteen, Marcus, so I don’t really know how to lead the pack.”
“You don’t have to worry about the pack, Nadine. I have talked to your father’s beta and he could lead it in Frederick’s absence,” he explained.
“I’m afraid that Beta Maverick would usurp the pack from our family,” she voiced out her concern.
“Let’s hope it won’t happen, sweetie. Who knows if your father has survived from the crash? You know your father, Nadine, and he’s a tough guy! He wouldn’t get killed that easily!”
“I wish your words are true, Marcus. I also wish he would come back here as soon as possible,” she muttered.
“By the way, have you eaten? You seem to be losing weight,” he noticed.
“Not yet,” she lied. “What about you, Marcus?”
“I haven’t eaten yet, so we better go downstairs now. I am starving and maybe Kate can cook something for us,” he stated, and then he held Nadine’s hand so they could go down together but she took her hand away.
“I’ll just change my clothes first,” she told him.
“Alright. I will wait for you outside. Five minutes, okay?”
“Ten minutes, she negotiated. “Why don’t you come inside? You can take a seat while I change my clothes,” she told him.
“It’s not proper, Nadine,” he refused.
Nadine couldn’t help but at Marcus. Then, she asked, “Are you serious? Have you forgotten what happened to us?” She blabbered but when she looked at his face, he frowned. “Okay, fine. All right, it's up to you, but if you'll change your mind, the door is open.” Was she trying to seduce him? Nadine shrugged her shoulders before she went back inside, but instead of just changing her clothes, she went to the bathroom, and took a quick shower. When she came out, Marcus was displeased.
“What happened to your ten minutes?” He asked, and then he checked the time on his wristwatch. “You took almost an hour in getting ready,” he complained.
Nadine smiled and said, “Sometimes, it really happened, Marcus.”
“Okay, let's go,” Marcus said and at the same time they went down to the dining hall.
When they arrived at the dining area, Nadine was surprised to see a group of men. He looked at Marcus and asked. “Who are they?”
“My friends,” Marcus replied. “I'm sorry if I didn't mention it earlier, I was worried about you so we went straight here. I asked Kate to feed them, “Marcus added.
“Ah okay,” she understood and her heart jumped again at what she heard from Marcus. Was he worried about her?
“Good morning, Miss.” Marcus's friends greeted Nadine at the same time.
“Good morning! Just keep eating,” she said as she motioned Marcus to sit down and eat.
After they ate, Marcus's five colleagues including Collin of course introduced themselves. They claimed to belong in the same pack but she was suspicious. They could be lying! Then, she noticed that their actions were a little bit strange. They were vigilant and their expressions were guarded just like Marcus'. However, she has no intention of finding out who they really were. It was enough for her when Marcus paid a visit.
“She’s beautiful,” Jason stated.
“Jason, wait a minute,” he called to the man.
“Yes, why Marcus?”
“Nadine's taken!” Marcus warned Jason in a dangerous tone.