Chapter 16

I turned around and my heart nearly dropped out of my chest. A warrior was running back to the house with Madelyn in his arms. I was terrified the worst had happened. I ran the rest of the way to the warrior who was carrying her. The closer I got I realized she was waking up.

I nearly cried when I realized she was just asleep. I quickly pulled Madelyn from the warrior so I could hold her in my arms. She was still trying to wake up. She had slight panic in her eyes until she realized the situation.

Madelyn blushed as she realized I was carrying her. « What happened ? Are you okay ? Are you hurt ? » I asked a million questions as she looked down sheepishly. « Marcus, I am okay. I just fell asleep, » Madelyn said while pulling herself from my hold.

I was relieved she was okay but sad she was out of my arms.

I had run for so long that I collapsed down next to a tree. I put my back against the trunk of the tree and tried to catch my breath. I wasn't sure where I was. I wasn't sure I was even still on pack land.

I got nervous thinking about what is going to happen tomorrow. I knew I could beat her, but I didn't know how much of a fight she would put up. Willow hadn't said much since we left the house. I knew she helped push me to run faster but otherwise stayed quiet.

The sun was setting, and I knew that I would need to try and head back soon. I took a few minutes to admire the last of the beautiful colors the sun was letting out. I closed my eyes to listen to the animals around me. Before I realized it, I was drifting off to sleep from how tired I was.

I started to stir when I realized I was being carried by someone who was running. I was passed over to someone else as I was waking up. I tried to catch my bearings when I looked up and saw Marcus. He was carrying me back to the pack house. Someone must have found me and brought me back. At least I wouldn't have to walk back now.

I looked around and realized they had been looking for me. There were a lot of people who started to disperse. « What happened ? Are you okay ? Are you hurt ? » Marcus started to ask me a bunch of questions. I wanted to put distance between us. As much as I liked being close to him, I wanted to put some space between us. « Marcus, I am okay. I just fell asleep, » I said while getting out of his hold.

Just as Marcus was about to say something, Polly and Clover came running out of the house toward me. « Madelyn Rivera, you have some explaining to do ! » Clover said while making her way over to me. They both pulled me into a hug before letting me go.

« I'm sorry. I fell asleep after I had run for so long. I didn't realize how much I had run until I sat down. I planned to rest for a bit and then head back. » I started to make my way inside after explaining what happened. I was tired and definitely needed my rest. I had a fight tomorrow after all.

I headed upstairs and took a shower. As I was getting out, I heard Marcus come into the room. I knew he was worried about tomorrow, but I knew I could handle myself. I quickly got dressed and went out into the room. Marcus was there staring at the wall until I came out. I could tell it was hurting him not to come and hold me. I know it hurts him we can't be like other mates.

Ones that immediately love each other and can have a normal relationship. I walked over and sat beside him on the couch. I could tell he wasn't excepting it and got tense before relaxing a little. We sat there for a while just enjoying the silence until I spoke up.

« I know you are nervous about tomorrow, and you don't think I can handle myself. I am telling you that I can. I know I can take her. I learned a lot out there in the woods. » I said while looking over to Marcus. « Madelyn I kno-, » I cut him off before he could say anything. « Let me finish please, » he nodded his head before I continued.

« While I was in the woods, I came across the little cabin in the woods. I was trying to see if I could maybe steal some new clothes or food from the place. I never liked to steal, but it was the only way sometimes. I started to make my way over to the woods when I heard someone call out to stop me. I turned to see an older guy near the edge of the woods. I hadn't noticed him there before, so I was startled when he caught me. I was about to make a run for it when he stopped me. » I smiled to myself remembering the memory like it was just yesterday. I looked to Marcus to tell to see he was listening, so I continued.

« I guess he could tell I needed help. He offered for me to come in and get some food and a proper shower. At that point, I hadn't eaten in 2 days and hadn't had a proper shower in well over a year. I accepted his offer and went in. We talked for a while, and I learned his name was Adam. He let me stay there for a few weeks. I gained some weight back, and he taught me how to fight and defend myself. I knew I had to keep moving because they would find me. » I smiled sadly thinking I might have caused Adam harm.

« I left after a couple of weeks. Adam gave me a bunch of supplies to last me a while. I honestly think if he didn't help me those weeks then I wouldn't be here today. » It felt good telling someone about my past. Even if it was just a small part of it.

Marcus sat there for a while. I could tell he was thinking over what I had just told him. « Madelyn, I never doubted if you could take care of yourself. I was just worried I guess because I have only had you for such a short amount of time. I don't want to lose you. » I sat there a little stunned. I was expecting Marcus to open up like that. I leaned over and pulled Marcus into a hug. He tensed not sure what he should do. I am usually not the one who makes the first move. He slowly circled his arms around me and pulled me in close.

« I know you are worried, but you aren't going to lose me, » I said into his chest. I know he heard me because his heart started to beat a little faster at my words. I pulled away and looked up at Marcus. I smiled as he leaned down and kissed my forehead.

« I'm about to head to bed. I have a big day tomorrow. » I got up and walked over to the bed. Marcus came over and tucked me in. « Goodnight my love. » He said after tucking me in. « Goodnight. » I was quickly dosing off to sleep. Marcus chuckled at me and headed to shower.

« I am going to get you, and you won't be able to hide from me. » The voice laughed as he stayed in the shadows. I couldn't tell who it was or where it was coming from. I tried to run, but it was like I was stuck. I was trapped. « I will catch you, and then you won't be able to get away again. » The voice grew closer. I turned to see a figure coming toward me. « No no no…. »

« Nooooo, » I woke up screaming. It was only a nightmare. Marcus came running over to me. I was so scared because it felt so real. I hadn't realized I was shaking until Marcus came and grabbed my hands to steady them.

« It's alright I got you. It was only a nightmare. » Marcus pulling me into his chest. He started to stroke my hair trying to calm me down. « It felt so real, » I murmured into him. We stayed there with him holding me for a few minutes until he pulled away.

« Are you alright now ? » Marcus asked pulling away from me. I nodded my head while wiping my eyes. « Alright I will be just over there if you need me, » he started to get up, but I caught his hand. He stopped and turned back to me. « Will you stay here with me ? » I was worried I would have another nightmare, and he always made me feel safe. He looked shocked at what I just asked him, « Are you sure ? » I could tell he was he was struggling not to jump at the opportunity. He wanted to make sure I was completely okay with it.