+Chapter 43+

Mari woke up the next morning and cleaned up, noting with a sour expression that the marks were still there. She didn’t give herself the time to think of why the Kings of the North and South would want her sexually, telling herself she would take the sex over being killed.

It wasn’t like she was using her body to stay alive because as long as she dealt with the Shadows she would be given her freedom. So if Mari wanted to give the closest thing to an honest answer, she would say that she had given in because she was lonely and the Werewolf Kings were attractive.

She didn’t expect anything more from them, content enough with the physical relationship until it was time for her to leave… That solution to her predicament however didn’t solve her current impending worry.

Just how was she supposed to hide the love bites littered all over her neck- Her door opened then, making her whip around and clutch her bathrobe closer like it would help.

The maid that had knocked previously without a response looked sheepish, “I apologize for barging in, Miss Mari,” She quickly apologized.

Mari waved a hand, “I-It’s fine.”

“We were instructed to bring your breakfast to your room by His Highness,” She said pleasantly, rolling a mobile tray in.

Mari wasn’t expecting this, well she had run off the night before so she hadn’t gotten a heads up about the itinerary of the day. She wondered if the fact that she was eating breakfast alone had something to do with the Shadow or if they just couldn’t bear to look at her.

She thanked the maid and decided to eat to get some strength, trying to not jump to conclusions as she sat by the fireplace in her bathrobe, not sure what she should be wearing.

She didn’t have to wait very long because after the maid returned to take the tray away, another knock rapped on her door, bringing her out of her thoughts. Mari expected it to be the same maid or another so she invited them in, her eyes rounding when she saw who it was.

“Mason,” She blurted out, rising to her feet. She had just seen him yesterday but with everything else that had happened, it felt like a week.

She didn’t know what to say to him, remembering how he had left the day before, she still hoped they could be friends but she didn’t think that would be happening.

“Uh, can I come in?” He asked, a wary look in his green eyes.

Mari was well aware that she was still in her bathrobe, dark brown hair bound up but there was no reason to turn him away. “S-Sure,” She agreed, waiting patiently to hear what he had to say.

“King Kade said to come get you, we’ll be driving to a warehouse.” He said shortly, studying her intently.

Mari noted that there was no judgment in his stare, just open curiosity. “What um… What do I wear?” She asked skeptically, not sure if she wanted to show up in biker shorts and a sports bra.

Mason quickly picked up on the fact that his King was interested in - and dangerously possessive over the witch so it kind of added up to see her marked up this morning. None of that was surprising, what surprised him was that King Kade was actually interested in someone else. It made his interest in the witch double, he wanted to know what kind of person she was to have a hold over his King.

“Pretty sure you can wear whatever you want? Need my help choosing?” He offered, misunderstanding the reason why she asked.

Mari’s surprise must have shown on her face because Mason quickly added, “I have a younger sister, I ah - I know a thing or two.”

She decided to humor him, very curious now to see what he’d pick. “You know what, sure.” She agreed with amusement, gesturing him to the closet.

Mason actually strolled over and rifled through it, picking out clothes far more quickly than Mari would have, he even took out shoes. “Here,” He offered the clothes to her, jabbing a thumb in the direction of the door. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

She took them and watched him saunter off, momentarily wondering what it would be like to have an older brother or an older sibling before she shook herself out of it and got dressed.

She took a look at herself in the dresser mirror, a pleasantly surprised expression on her face at how the clothes looked, it was a comfortable mix of casual and sporty and the fitted top had a high neck so most of her hickeys were covered. The shoes were also comfortable, boots that went with her outfit of pants and a simple top.

Where did he even pull them out from? She didn’t recall ever having these clothes in her closet. She brushed out her hair and put the obedient locks of hair in a braid before heading for the door.

Mason was always so casual around her even though he knew what she was, it made her for a split second imagine what life would be like if witches were accepted on the West Continent.

Mason was leaning against the wall by the side of her room when she opened the door, patiently waiting for her. “So what do you think?” He asked, a pleased expression on his face.

“I love it,” Mari said bluntly, “I might have to come to you for more fashion advice.”

“If only my sister could see my vision too,” He said wryly, visibly pleased by her compliments. “We should get going,” He changed the topic, leading the way out of the palace.

Mari wondered what Mason’s sister was like, thus she didn’t think about her next question before she asked it. “What’s your sister’s name?” She blurted out, her eyes widening at the thought that she might have overstepped with that. It was just so easy to talk to Mason, she didn’t know when the question slipped out.

Mason didn’t even bat an eyelid at her question, “Her name’s Haley, she just turned twenty-one so she thinks she knows everything.”