Chapter 29

Fingers massaged at the growing pressure along his temple. It had been a week since he sent Amelia away. There were still at the very least two more weeks of this. He had thought his wolf was restless while his mate was close by during the cycle, but that did not compare to how unbearable the creature was now. The dark circles under his eyes gave way to the fact that sleep was not his friend. It did not help that his dreams were haunted by the pretty blonde girl, nor that his wolf howled for her into the night.

He had to show restraint, and had to show a well put together facade. If not for himself, than for his pack. They could not see how this one little thing affected him. They needed his protection during this hormonal time. These two times a year were the only time the office was kept open all night for those that were members of the pack. It was a safe haven for any who sought it, and big enough for almost the entire pack to fit in, if the need arose to do so.

Jackson leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest and worry etched across his face.

“Marcus-” he began but what cut off.

“I know what you’re going to say. You’ve said it a hundred times this week already. ‘You’re a fool’, ‘You should have gone after her’, ‘You shouldn’t have let her go’.” Marcus tweaked his voice in order to mock the sound of Jackson scolding him. The Beta sighed letting his arms fall to his sides as he pushed from the doorway.

“I was going to say you need a break.” He suggested it to Marcus. “No offense dude, but you look like shit.”

“And where will I go?” the Alpha scoffed.

“Go home.” Jackson offered, but the stubborn as ever Marcus just shook his head.

“My pack is here, my place is here.” Marcus annunciated this by pointing his finger into the top of his desk. Jackson shrugged.

“Suit yourself.” with that Jackson left and returned to his office.

“Oh Goddess,” Marcus’ eyes rolled to the ceiling, “What did I do to deserve this?”

Leaning back in his chair, he loosened his tie and the top few buttons of his shirt.

“You kicked our mate out.” Answered his wolf from the depths of his mind. “You defied her wishes and now we’re paying for it.” the creature’s voice turned into a whimper.

“Well it’s nice to actually hear from you, too old friend.” Marcus replied. Ever since Amelia walked out of his office, his wolf seemed to ignore him. Locking itself away in the deepest corner and pouting. Which worried Marcus. The two have never been so disconnected, and it caused him to feel empty. “At least I did not reject her.”

The wolf merely snorted at Marcus’ comment before turning silent once more. What was an Alpha without the back up of his wolf?

Marcus sighed and stared out the window. The sunset or burnt oranges and reds and pinks stretched across the city. Tonight, the Blood Moon will be in full effect. Causing all wolves to be on edge at the eclipse worked its way across the lunar landscape.

Meanwhile, Amelia was pacing back and forth across the livingroom floor.

“You can’t be serious.” Jasmine probed. “Not after what he did to you, you just want to waltz back over there?”

Amelia had let it slip that she planned on seeing Marcus again. Come hell or high water. However, Jasmine voiced that she was not thrilled with the idea of Amelia running back into his arms.

“Yes I am.” Amelia replied.

“He kicked you out, Amelia. What makes you think that security will even let you through the door?” From her position on the couch, Jasmine watched Amelia.

“I will say I forgot something at my desk.” She offered up, running different scenarios in her head of how to get close to Marcus. She wanted to let him know that she knew. That she knew and understood everything, and that it was alright.

Jasmine sighed, just when she thought Amelia had gotten her boss out of her mind there she was paddling right back into the mess of it. She was trying her best to intervene and pull Amelia from this obsession. But it did not appear to be working.

Amelia had made up her mind, and was going. No matter what problems Jasmine threw at her or how much her friend protested, she was going to talk some sense into Marcus. Get her job, and her man back.

“He can be a horrible person, Amelia, especially to those who’ve crossed him in some way. What makes you think he’ll listen to anything you have to say without tossing you out on your ass again?” Jasmine offered.

“You don’t know him.” Amelia snapped back a bit too harshly, causing Jaz’s eyes to widen a bit. “I’m sorry.”

“I think you’re making a big mistake.” Jasmine stood up and shook her pointer finger at her friend. “You’re just going to cause yourself more headache and heartbreak.” She warned as she stomped to her room.

Amelia scrunched her face in annoyance and irritation at her friend. What did Jasmine know about Marcus? What right did she have to tell Amelia what to do, and what not to do? Glancing down at her leggings and t-shirt, she decided to change into something more work appropriate before heading to the office.

Moments later Jasmine could hear Amelia’s keys jingle and the apartment door open and shut. Quickly she grabbed her phone. The person on the other end picked up after one ring.

“We have a problem.” Jasmine spoke before giving the other person time to greet her.

“What’s going on my pet?” the voice cooed from the other end.

“She’s going back to him?” Jaz answered, the line went quiet for a moment.

“When?” the voice question quickly. Knowing time was of the essence.

“She just now walked out of the apartment. What are we going to do Dalton?” Tears threatened to escape down her cheeks. She feared the monster Amelia was going to meet. Dalton had told her all about Marcus and what he was, so she feared for her friend’s safety.

“You leave that to me, love.” Dalton answered from the other end. “In the meantime I need you to do something for me.”

The bus ride to the office did nothing to help Amelia settle or steady her nerves. In fact they were worse now than they had been in the apartment. She had no idea what she was going to say to Marcus. Or exactly how she was going to convince him to hire her back on, or at the very least talk to her. Stepping from the bus she glanced up the sidewalk.

“Deep breaths Amelia. Deep breaths.” She attempted to soothe herself. Taking a final deep breath she straightened her shoulders. “I’ve got this.”

Two steps from the bus stop a form emerged from the shadow of the buildings.

“Hello Amelia.” the voice held a wicked intent to it, causing a shiver to run down Amelia’s spine. Her hand unconsciously wrapped around the bottle of pepper spray in her purse. She could not make out the person’s features, just that it was a man.

“W-who’s there?” her voice trembled a bit, as fear clutched at her throat. “S-stay back. I have p-pepper spray and I’m n-not afraid to u-use it.”

The figure chuckled at her attempt to intimidate him. Before he stepped out from the darkness.

“No need for violence, just yet anyway.” he spoke as a smile curled his features. Her eyes widened as she recognized the face, but unlike with her past encounters with him, all she could feel was danger.

“You? What are you doing here?”