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“Where the hell is he?” Cole shouted, glaring at me intensely. His red eyes blazed as he stalked towards me, nostrils flaring in anger. His hand wrapped around my neck and he pushed me against the wall. “I’ll ask again, Runt. Where the hell is the kid?”

“I don’t know,” I squeaked in reply.

Cole looked like he could kill someone as he stormed through the house once more, searching for Marble.

I slowly ran a hand through my hair and leaned against a wall, sliding down it until I sat on the ground, my legs pulled up to my chest. My bottom lip trembled as I wondered where Marble could possibly be. There was no question that he had run away, but he couldn’t have made his way to Rowan all by himself, right?

My brother grabbed my hair, pulling me into a standing position. “That note thing was a distraction to let him go, wasn’t it, Runt?”

Flinching, I quickly shook my head. “No, I didn’t know he would do this.”

Cole slapped me and shoved me backwards, causing me to hit my head against the wall. He growled, shifting into his wolf form and leaping off of the porch, and sprinted into the forest.

I sniffed as I leant back against the wall. Wiping my eyes, I sat back down and buried my face in my hands.  

~~~*~~~

It had gotten dark out and Cole hadn’t returned to the shack. I could feel a dark bruise forming on my face and I winced, wrapping the blanket tighter around myself.

Loud thudding came from outside making me cringe. Cole was angry. The thud grew louder as he stomped up the steps and flung the door open.

I gasped, burying my face under the blanket.

“Jay?” Rowan’s voice came from in front of me and I looked up. His features grew soft as he scooped me up in his arms. “Baby, what happened to your face?” he asked gently.

“Y-you can’t be here,” I stuttered. “He’ll be back any minute now.” I looked around for any sign of Cole’s wolf in the thicket.

Rowan shook his head. “He won’t be coming here anymore,” he explained. “Your brother attacked the house looking for Marble.” My mate smiled. “After the kid had explained everything to us, we figured he’s do something like that, so I had most of the pack waiting for him. We attacked when he did.” He lightly touched my face. “I got your message.”

I looked down at my hands as Rowan carried me towards the house. “Did he survive?” I whispered.

“No,” Rowan said. “Aspen snapped his neck.”

Flinching at the gory images that suddenly popped into my mind I pressed my nose against the nape of Rowan’s neck, inhaling deeply. “Thank you,” I said, feeling tears of relief brim my eyes. “I love you.”

Rowan’s grip on me grew tighter. He smiled. “You know,” he said. “The way I’m carrying you kind of feels like we’re married.” He laughed at the blush that spread onto my face. “Now, let’s get you inside so that we can put some ice on your face.”

I hadn’t realised how close the shack was to the Silver Talon pack’s main house. We entered through the front door and Rowan carried me upstairs and into our room, placing me on the bed.

“Stay here,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

When he returned, Rowan held the bag of ice to my face. “What colour is it?” I asked, smiling up at him.

My mate pulled the cold ice pack away and frowned. “It’s kind of greeny-purple,” he said, struggling to describe the bruise. “What the hell did he do to you?”

I shrugged. “It’s just a slap,” I said. “He’s done worse.” The ice pack was pressed back to my face and I flinched. “Remember when he broke my hand?”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah,” he said in a low tone. “I remember.”

Smiling softly, I cupped his face in my hands. “It’s over now,” I reassured him. “We’re okay now.”

His free hand wrapped around my wrist. “As soon as this bruise heals, you and I are bonding together.”

I blushed.

“I’m tired of other wolves thinking they can take you away from me.” He said and gently kissed my lips. “I’m also tired of you thinking you’re not good enough to be my mate,” he explained when he pulled away.

My smile spread wider across my face and I hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry,” I apologised.

Rowan hugged me back. “I’m sorry too,” he whispered. “I love you.”

I placed a chaste kiss on his nose. “I love you too.”

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