64. Scars

Hunter turned back and looked at the Marshville's pack house. Nicholas and Catherine stood at the steps to see them off. It was supposed to be Eden's job as the hosting Alpha, but he wasn't here. Hunter gave the former Alpha couple a nod and climbed into the jeep parked in front of him.

"Eden still hasn't come out," Cole said, starting the engine. "How long is he going to hole himself inside a room? His wolf must be getting restless?"

"His wolf doesn't give a shit about anything other than his mate." Hunter retorted giving a last glance at Marshville's pack house. "He didn't even come out for Thea, so expecting a goodbye for us is silly." Through rear view mirror he saw other cars following them.

It was over. Dimitri and his bloodthirsty army were dead.

Oakheart's warriors were returning. Other packs and Thea's had already left with Jared a day ago. Many lycans followed Jared whereas very few decided to stay back at Marshville. It had been a week since they defeated knights. As soon as injured were in a state to travel, Eastbourne and Oakheart warriors decided to leave. They missed their families and mates, especially after such traumatic events.

The three Knights had also returned to their unknown home taking with them a hesitant Theo. It wasn't much of a choice for the poor human boy, mate bond had already entwined his fate with Sounia. But the she-knight had also managed to sneak in his heart by helping wolves in killing Dimitri.

Even though casualties were low - thanks to Marley - wolves hadn't seen such bloodshed and chaos in decades. Werewolf world was relatively peaceful with packs allying with others for resources and keeping their business to their towns and territories. Even if problems arose they were sought out diplomatically, sometimes even with rogues. It was supposed killing was a second nature to wolves, but diplomacy and struggle to survive in human world had subdued it. This fight had took a toll on everyone.

Hunter sighed. Now he had to go through second most difficult part of this ordeal on returning home: informing families and mates of their dead ones. After witnessing Eden, Beta didn't know he had the strength for that. Probably choose fighting those knights again over this.

*******

Eden's eyes closed as he felt familiar tingles on his head. The soft caresses of fingers on his hair lulling him into sleep.

"Stop," he murmured, his voice coming out raspy. "I'm here so you can order me around, not to sleep."

"You didn't sleep last night. Just have some rest," Marley said, frowning at the stubborn face of her mate - which lay on the side of her hospital bed. "I'll wake you if I need anything."

"How do you know I didn't sleep last night?"

"I-" Marley paused.

"You didn't sleep either." Eden raised his head and leaned against his chair, which was next to her bed. "Last night it was hurting, wasn't it?" He looked at her neck. Even though it had healed a lot in few days there were still yellow-purple finger marks, along with deep cuts covered with dry blood. However, these weren't the source of pain for her. It was two punctured holes at the side of her neck.

"It didn't hurt that much. They are now bearable," Marley mumbled. "Iosif was right. Bite mark will fade away, so will its pain."

The bite that Dimitri gave Marley always pricked. Iosif told her it would fade away, it was her body fighting the change. He was right. The first night it burned like hell that she screamed out aloud. Marley was grateful for Eden who held her hand throughout that night, taking some of the pain away.

Eventually as the days went by, the burning feeling of mark simmered down to annoying prickly sensation.

Eden's jaw clenched. He hated it how his mate was in so much pain. *At least she's alive and healing...*

A week ago when Eden found Marley lying underneath Dimitri with no sound of heartbeat, he thought he lost it all. Eden was close to losing his sanity with his dying mate in arms. Luckily Thea had found them in time and gave Marley the CPR she needed. She had suffered a severe heart failure because of the shock and trauma. It was a close call. She was almost dead, but as luck would have it, not dead.

Eden hadn't left her side since then. He spent every day holed up in the pack's hospital, catering to his Marley, who lay here with a plaster on her right hand and injured legs. Her face bore cuts and scratches along with yellowing bruises.

Eden didn't come out to say his farewell to Eastbourne and Oakheart's warriors. Alpha knew it was inconsiderate and selfish on his part, but he couldn't be bothered by it when his mate was in such sensitive situation. He knew his parents would handle it.

"Just go to sleep." Marley groaned. "Do you think it makes me feel good seeing you there with bloodshot eyes and dark circles."

Eden sighed.

Marley started shifting in her bed.

"What are you doing?!" Eden stood up and immediately held Marley, stopping her movements. "You will open up the stitches." He scolded.

"Then help me to make some space for you."

"This bed is for you."

"I know." Her eyes stared into his reprimanding ones. "But I've been waiting to share it with you. Now that there's no blood gushing out of me, I think it's best if you sleep here with me, not on that chair."

"No."

"Come on, we both know it's the best way to cure both of ours sleepless nights." She pleaded with those big eyes that Eden couldn't refuse.

"Don't move," he commanded. In one movement he gently lifted Marley and moved her little on the side making sure she still had the bigger half of bed.

When he looked hesitant to join her, Marley smiled. "Who would've thought I'd be the one begging you to come to bed with me?"

Eden chuckled, his serious facade crumbling. "Give it a few months, I'll make sure to never let you out of my bed." He laid beside her with most careful movements.

Marley rested her left hand on Eden's torso. A simple action comforted both. "Did Hunter and his pack leave?" She asked.

"I don't know."

Marley sighed. "You're also the Alpha besides being my mate. You should know what's happening in your pack."

She felt bad she had taken away her pack's Alpha all to herself. The wolves had been very kind and accepting of her since the beginning. Almost all of them had visited her once she was conscious.

"Dad's taking care of it. I'm going to walk out of here when you will walk out of here."

"What about your wolf? Don't you need runs. This room is crampy even for me."

Eden looked at her endearingly. This was her time to be selfish, yet she couldn't stop thinking about him. "Do you really think I give a shit about runs when you're here?" He shook his head. "I'm not leaving. Now go to sleep."

Marley nodded, shifting herself closer to her werewolf as much as possible without causing pain. Before her eyes closed, they fell on a long scar running along Eden's arm.

It was finally over, but it sure did left behind some scars. Physically and Mentally.

*******

**A Month Later-**

"I never thought I'll miss this prick so much," Sanjay muttered.

"Joseph didn't like us humans, but he gave his life for us," Marley said with a sad smile, her eyes becoming little moist.

In front of them was a clearing of the forest. It was here where the dead ones were buried. The grass had started to fill previously brown ground. There were no tombstones or coffins. Werewolves preferred to make nature's job easier.

Marley and Sanjay had decided to come here to pay their last respects to Joseph, the wolf who died protecting them. As soon as Marley was discharged out of the hospital she had come here with Eden, but being here with Sanjay felt different. Probably it has to do with the fact that Joseph hated (or tried to hate) the humans, but ended up giving his life to protect them.

"Let's go," Sanjay said, "I don't want Oliver losing his shit just because we decided to go for a walk."

He held out his hand to Marley, who took it eagerly. Her legs had started to ache after standing for so long. She was not back to her full health. Her right hand was still in cast and bruises splattered all over her body. But thankfully, the bite mark on her neck had healed, only two red dots remained, which no longer troubled her.

As the pack house came into their view, they saw an agitated Eden coming out of it. When he saw Marley he immediately relaxed.

"Where did you go?!" Eden looked at her like an angry mother hen. "Marley you know you shouldn't walk much. If you wanted to go out, you should've asked for me. I'd let you ride my wolf." He scolded.

"We just went to cemetery." She let go of Sanjay's hand. "And Sanjay was with me."

"You shouldn't go there. I never feel good after visiting that place."

Marley nodded. Pack's cemetery wasn't exactly Eden's favourite part of forest. She knew he didn't like going there, and that was also the reason why she went with Sanjay.

"I'm going to find Oliver," Sanjay interrupted. "You love birds carry on." With that he headed in the direction of Oliver's parents house.

"You worry too much." Marley sighed, her body already leaning into Eden as he cupped her waist with one hand and held out other one to her for support. She took it and they started to walk toward pack house. "I'm not that fragile."

"We already know that." Eden kissed her cheek. "You can go back to jumping around once you're healed. Till then just let me nurse you good otherwise your folks will think I'm not taking good care of their daughter."

The story of supernatural battle was kept from Marley's parent and her school friends. As far as they knew their daughter had been in a car accident. This lie was probably for the best. Marley didn't want to complicate her parent's life.

Marley looked at Eden. His face had returned to its normal glow and those chocolate eyes were back to their mischievous glint that made Marley drool and blush at the same time.

"Well then my nurse carry me to my bedroom so I could make out with my boyfriend."

This hint was enough for the werewolf. Within a second she found herself being carried and a minute later on her bed with a hungry wolf hovering above her.

They kissed hungrily. Eden traced her jaw with wet kisses. Marley moaned, her fingers dipping into his hair.

"I swear once you're good, I'll make sure you won't be getting out of this bed for a week." He growled, golden swirling in his eyes. "A month." He corrected as she moaned.

Marley whimpered when he bit her collar bone gently. "I want you now."

He pulled away. It was difficult to resist when she sounded so needy. "Can't do that now baby. We don't want to open the stitches." He was heaving, containing his urges. The only thing stopping him from taking her was his concern for her.

Marley pulled Eden back, devouring his lips like a starved animal. "I want you now," she pleaded again, "I don't care, we will stitch them back up."

Eden looked at his mate, lying under him with swollen lips, flushed face and a hungry look in her eyes. Not even a saint could resist that. "How about a compromise?" He suggested, a devilish smirk coming at his lips.

"Compromise?"

Eden growled at her innocent look. He liked the control he had over her right now. She was a putty in his hand, and this stroked his dominant side.

"You lie just like that and let this wolf eat you out."

Marley, without a second thought, nodded. For hours to come she heard her Alpha's dirty talks, and her own incoherent mumblings between moans and whimpers.

A year ago she couldn't have dared to imagine that she'd offer herself to a hungry wolf. Oh, but here she was now.

*******The End*******

**A/N: If you read it all, thank you for paying and giving this story a chance. Your kind words and support meant a lot, like a way lot. Let's hope I can bring you more stories in future and rob you off your bucks, *cue evil laughs*. Once again a very big thank you.**

*Take care of yourself - Manjari*