13. His Territory

Rolling on the bed, Marley felt her mind was on overdrive. More questions about Eden started swarming around, and her temples throbbed warning of an incoming headache.

Maybe, this would turn out a crazy dream after all.

She was trying to drift to sleep when her phone blinked.

**Sexy beast:** *Hey, how you holding up?*

She needed no hint to know who this person was. She had almost rolled her eyes at the contact name. But the irony in it was amusing which made her snort.

**You:** *Eden?*

**Sexy beast:** *Yup.*

**You:** *You took my number without asking.*

**Eden:** *Yup.*

Marley groaned. The boy - no, the werewolf - had no basic decency. No wonder he was half dog.

**Eden:** *I was thinking to take you to the pack house. Want to come?*

Marley's hands fidgeted a little as she thought about all the possible outcomes that could result in going to wolves' den itself. Her yes could either lead her to an early grave or it could enlighten her with the knowledge of the mysterious world that only few knew about. She could feel her curiosity peaking but what really made her decide to go for it was her trust in Eden, and she cursed herself again for being so naive.

**You:** *Okay*

**Eden:** *See you at 7. Good night and dream about me.*

***

"We are here." Eden beamed with pride as he looked at the front. Marley followed Eden's eyes and her mouth hung open.

A large gate, made of iron beams, guarded an unpaved road ahead, which was covered with mud and leaves. Among the beams on the gate, a large sculpture of howling wolf was studded. On either side of gate, a huge wall ran along as far as her eyes could see. The whole scene in front gave her uneasy feeling, it felt like it dared her to go further.

She was broken out of her trance when the gate flew open itself. Eden continued driving inside and a few moments later they stopped. She saw a heavily built man coming towards them making her dug her fingers into her seat in nervousness.

"Relax. He's a guard." Eden noticed her actions. "You don't have to be scared, nobody will harm you here. Believe me, this is the safest place for you."

In response to his statement, Marley could only muster up a stare that conveyed she didn't believe him in the slightest for some obvious reasons. But it was far from the truth. For some unfathomable reason, Marley did believe him otherwise she wouldn't be here, but the rational part of her brain didn't allow her to display her vulnerability.

Eden just shook his head and got out of the car and she followed. He handed the car key to the man, who now stood in front of them.

"Is it her, Alpha?" The man asked Eden after eyeing Marley.

Eden just nodded with a smile and it was enough for that man to start beaming with pride. Marley furrowed her brows in confusion as she listened to their conversation. The only possible conclusion she could come up with after watching their interaction was that she was going to be their food and judging by the strange man's reaction she was going to be tasty.

"Nice to meet you. I am Tristan Matthews." The man broke her cynical chain of thoughts. Marley met his electric blue eyes. His dirty blond hair was sticking to his head with sweat as if he had run for miles. She guessed him to be in his late twenties. As she was studying the man, a low growl from behind broke her attention. She realized she had been staring at Tristan longer than necessary.

"Nice to meet you too. I am Marley Seyfried." She replied hastily. Tristan left them and made his way inside Eden's car. She didn't miss the man's amused face due to Eden's growl.

"We'll be walking from here." Eden said nonchalantly but his face showed otherwise. He seemed angry. He started walking, a bit fast, and Marley followed quickly, not wanting to sour his mood further.

"So... you are alpha... like their leader or something?" She asked curiously. She stuffed her hands inside her hoodie pocket while catching up to him. The better half of the last night had been spent by her staring at her laptop, googling about werewolves. Besides being bombarded with the shirtless pictures of Taylor Lautner, she also stumbled upon a few stories and legends about his kind. As thrilling as they were, they ladened her with basic knowledge.

"Yes."

Marley looked around and saw houses lined together on either side of the road. The place would look like a gated community, if not for the dense jungle just behind the lodgings. She saw people ogling her and their alpha. She instinctively got closer to Eden avoiding their prying eyes. She felt like a kindergarten kid following her teacher on her first trip. She was sweating profusely, not because of walking but nervousness. She didn't even realize that Eden had stopped and bumped her head right onto his back. The familiar tingles spread throughout her body due to the small contact. This feeling still confused her. She looked at Eden and saw his lips quirking up lightly in a smirk.

"This is it," Eden said, looking in front.

Marley looked over his shoulder and saw a huge mansion. She couldn't believe her eyes missed it when she was almost panicking. As soon as they entered inside, she gasped in shock. The mansion was adorned with luxury and whatnot that screamed money but the reason for her shock was the one person that was present among the others.

Emilia, Mark, Matthew, Jessica, Callum, and Oliver were all casually sitting on the couch or the bean bags. But the one she didn't expect to see was Sanjay sitting just beside Oliver.

"Are you a wolf too?" She blurted out quickly, looking at Sanjay, still stupefied.

Sanjay immediately shook his head. "I am in this situation just like you are." He gave her a reassuring smile.

Before she could inquire further, she was interrupted by footsteps coming closer from the side. She turned around and faced a woman and a man in their early forties. The woman had very familiar chocolate brown eyes and black hair and the man's facial features reminded her of Eden. It was no doubt that they were his parents.

"Oh. She is so pretty. It's only a wonder you got her." The woman said enthusiastically, mocking Eden, who looked irritated but there was a slight smile on his lips. "Honey, I am Eden's mother, Catherine." She introduced herself and before Marley could reply she was enveloped into a hug. Marley was never about skinship, in fact, she dreaded physical contact with strangers, but Catherine's hug gave her warmth and a sense of security.

"I am his father, Nicholas. Nice to finally meet you." The man said while she was still in his wife's arm. Marley was about to introduce herself but once again she was cut-off.

"No need to introduce yourself. They already know you," Eden said and then turned to his mother with a frown. "Mom, let her breathe."

"Okay." Catherine finally let her go. "Honey, I hope you didn't mind... I was just excited to meet you." Her face was adorned with a bright smile.

"No, it's fine." Marley replied honestly. Her brain still trying to register Catherine's words - you got her but she decided against to pry on them, *for now*.

*******

".... So, you see unlike what you heard we don't go berserk on the full moon." Jessica finished her part of the explanation, her blonde curls bouncing on her shoulders as she nodded and her green eyes gleaming. Matthew, who sat beside her, gave her a quick peck. Everyone was comfortably couching on their seats, everyone but Marley. Eden sat beside her, too close for her comfort but fortunately, they weren't in contact.

Throughout the whole intervention, which lasted for almost two hours, Marley sat dumbfounded except for few occasional nods. Everyone imparted their part of knowledge from their emergence to their current state. Werewolves existed as long as the human species and their purpose was to look after and rule the humans, at least that's what Eden's father said. In ancient times, humans had known about their existence and had been willingly ruled by weres but after centuries of living under their rule, humans grew rebellious and demanded liberation. The process was chaotic and followed by the bloodshed of thousands. To avoid any future war between the two kinds, werewolves decided to live in secrecy. The secret of their existence is only known by few humans, which include government officials, leader of the country and other lucky ones.

"So, is there also a pack in Crestfield?" Marley asked. She wanted to know if her hometown was also infested with werewolves.

"Oh yeah, It's led by the Carter's." Oliver replied.

"Carter's!" Marley had known them her entire life. Her family wasn't close to them but they were well acquainted. Now it made sense how the Carter's almost ran the whole town. "So, Flynn must be next in line to become alpha or is he already the alpha?" Flynn was Mr. Carter's eldest son and Marley's two-year senior. For a time being, she had harbored the harmless infatuation towards the guy like any other teenager.

"He took the title a year ago." Again Oliver decided to satiate her curiosity.

"You seem interested in this Flynn guy." Eden spoke abruptly in an accusing tone, also glaring at Marley. He picked up the sudden increase in her heartbeat and dilation of her pupils. Although it was nowhere near how she felt with Eden yet only to think that the other guy was capable of causing the slightest part of these change, enraged him beyond madness. After all, werewolves were infamous for their possessiveness towards their mates.

Marley could only shrunk under his terrifying gaze. She knew providing him with truth will do nothing but fuel his anger. But why he was angry and why she herself felt guilty talking about Flynn confused her.

"Eden, stop scaring her." Catherine scolded her son. She knew that as much as her son was being unreasonable, he couldn't help himself. "Why don't you tell her what she is to you?" She wanted Marley to become a part of her family as soon as possible.

Eden nodded. He too wanted to get it out of his chest so that they could be closer, *and make her forget about fucking Flynn Carter*.

"Marley, you are my mate." He was exploding with nervousness and anxiety inside, but kept the mask of insolence on his face, at least tried to. Every eye in the room focused on them.

"Mate?!" Her eyes were widened in disbelief. Apparently, during their intervention weres kept the mate part to themselves but she wasn't a fool to not know what the word mate meant. How could it be? she thought, but then again all those unnatural feelings towards Eden now made sense. Everyone kept silent for a minute to see her reaction for this was the most important part of the conversation.

"Yes... A mate is your soulmate. We werewolves only have one. It's kind of how humans see marriage but it is arranged by fate and it is much purer. A werewolf who lost his or her mate is not a pretty sight." Finally, Catherine decided to cut the lingering silence. She knew Eden would need her help in this. "Honey, I know it's kind of a shock but you have to be open-minded about it." Catherine looked at Eden, who was desperately looking at Marley and then at her, who was just stunned. She had to smile at those kids.

"I am Eden's father's mate... I know it's going to sound bit offensive considering you are a human but according to werewolves, their mates only belong to them... and they have a sort of claim on them. It's like you are only Eden's and I am only Nicholas' and vice versa. That's how it is seen in our world." She took a peek at her husband and smiled warmly and received the same from him. Catherine knew this whole revelation will scare Marley further but it wasn't right to keep the gravity of the situation from her. Keeping it from her will only cause further problems in the future.

These people never failed to surprise her. "Can I go home now... Please?" Marley asked everyone, almost pleading them to let her go. She desperately needed some time alone to get her thoughts together. She stood up deciding to walk out from here, as soon as anyone nodded.

"No." Eden replied immediately, standing up. He didn't want to let her go, especially when she could try to run away from him. He could see her hesitation and reluctance to accept him as her mate. "You might try to run away." Only the thought of her being away from him was enough to drive Eden insane. He wanted to handcuff her to him so that she would never lose his side. Eden mentally facepalmed himself at his own thoughts, having a mate was turning him into a psychopath.

"What?" Marley couldn't believe that she was paired with someone so... dumb. As tempting as the idea of running away sounded, she wouldn't do that. "I will not run away." She almost whimpered under Eden's fiery gaze.

"Eden, stop it. She needs some time to process it all. Let her go." Finally, Nicholas decided to speak. Seeing his son scaring his own mate was the last thing he wanted to see.

"Dad, this is between me and my mate." Eden almost roared, clenching his teeth. He didn't like anyone coming between him and Marley, not even his own father. She was his.

Nicholas rolled his eyes at this. He used to be just like that when he had found Catherine but unlike Marley, Catherine challenged him every time and didn't give in to his every demand. Although he was in no place to question the fate, he could only think how someone so polite, gentle and silent could be mated to his loud, demanding and robustious son. The poor girl was definitely going to have a hard time with him.

"Oh shut up Eden." Sanjay stood up and walked towards Marley, meanwhile glaring at Eden. "I am taking her home." He held her hand started walking out. He knew he was playing with fire but he couldn't care less. And what good was Oliver for? He'd manage to calm down Eden.

A loud growl erupted in the room. Eden's eyes were now bright glowing golden orbs. Seeing that Oliver immediately rushed to him to protect his own mate, Sanjay. He held Eden tightly by arms.

"Hey man... c'mon give her some space. Don't you think she atleast deserves that." Oliver whispered in his ears. The words of his beta managed to drive some sense into him.

Sanjay was already out with Marley leading her to his car.

*******

Sanjay was driving and peeking swift glances at Marley every minute. She just sat there silent in her own thoughts.

"Marley, I kind of have a confession too." The silence was getting awkward for Sanjay. Unlike Marley, he was not the silent type, so he decided to speak.

"What? That you could turn into a freaking cow." Marley snapped. Of course, she couldn't take her bubbling anxiety out on a bunch of people who she didn't know ( also who could turn into wolves ) but on her friend Sanjay. "I am sorry." She mumbled softly, also laughing a bit, finding the whole situation hysterical.

"As amazing as it sounds, I couldn't do that." Sanjay replied giggling. It was in their habit to make funny puns at each other. He liked that habit. "I am Oliver's mate." He said nervously. He really hoped that Marley wouldn't judge him for being gay.

"I kind of figured that out." She replied, resting down all his fears. They understood each other without many words. Sanjay sighed in relief.

"Marley it's not as bad as it seems. You'll get used to it. Since he's an alpha his level of possessiveness is kind of high, but don't you dare be afraid of him to show him his place. He cannot hurt a single hair on your body. Believe me I know, after all, I am with his beta." Sanjay rambled, grinning. Marley noticed that mischievous grin and shook her head. She could only think how Sanjay tested Oliver's patience every time.

Again, silence descended upon them and Sanjay let it. He knew she needed it at the mention of Eden.

Marley was angry, confused but most of all scared. She was angry because she didn't have a choice but to be with Eden. She always thought she'd probably date a few guys before finding her *the one*. That's how people find their life partner, don't they? She never dated anyone before, she was so lost. She was too young to be in a relationship that was so... permanent. Marley was scared of this mateship and Eden. His little outburst in the pack house didn't help her either. He was way too aggressive for her. How could she be with someone whom she feared might eat her alive if they had a little argument. Let's not forget the fact that he was a werewolf, his whole family was. His parents seemed good people, she genuinely liked them, but Eden was nowhere like them. She prayed to whoever chose to listen to her.

"Do you want to go to the diner to eat something? Sitting throughout that whole thing for almost two hours has turned me into a starving mess. I so need to feed. Those wolves really need to learn how to treat guests. They didn't even offer any refreshments. No wonder Eden got grouchy, he wasn't fed." Sanjay quipped, trying to lighten the serious atmosphere in the car. Seeing Marley snort, he knew he accomplished that.

Marley nodded. She was confused, scared, sad and hungry. There's nothing that a good food cannot ease. She needed to feed too.