The Mark of an Alpha
Chapter 4

The darkness is the least of my worries as the wind picks up as I bolt through the back door.

Running used to be just for my wolf's enjoyment but lately, it seems to bring a thrill to me.

My father is in another pack meeting and I want to meet up with Marcus before he returns. My wolf jolts in excitement as we run into the trees and head straight to our secret meeting spot.

My father accepted Marcus as part of his pack, but he is not living in the packhouse.

It’s been a few days since Marcus has joined the pack and on the first night, Marcus and I took a stroll through the forest. That is when we found the clearing.

The moon shines above it as if it is destined to be found by us. The flowers are tucked under the leaves as if waiting for the sun to rise so that they can rise alongside it.

No one in the pack knows about our relationship other than we found each other. We both have our reasons. Marcus has yet to tell me his. When a wolf finds their mate they tend to show them off to the rest of the pack and I know how that felt. I do not want to make anyone feel that way because of us.

Breaking through the tree Marcus is sitting on a fallen over tree trunk. His hazel eyes fall on me and an amused smile spreads across his lips. The breath in my lungs rushes out of me as I take him in, my God.

“I knew that you would be coming down here tonight,” he smiles at me. His polo shirt fits him rather snug and all the buttons are open showing off his neck.

“I thought you would be here as well,” the way he carries himself is radiating confidence. Not once has he doubted what he was doing around me and I hide my intimidation.

“What do you want to do,” he makes his way to me and swallows me up in a bear hug.

Anything as long as we are together.

“I don’t know,” glancing up I see that his hazel eyes are looking up at the starry sky.

“This might sound childish,” I shake my head, “but,” his chest heaves as he holds back a chuckle, “tag you’re it.” Marcus taps my head and twists his body running to the trees.

“What?” This is not what I wanted. I want to be by his side. Not running away from each other.

Go after him! Competitively my wolf pushes my body forward.

Running through the trees my wolf heightens my senses, his scent fills my lungs as his footsteps pound at my eardrums.

“You’re on,” Marcus is heading west towards the creek. I can beat him there.

The rush of joy pumps from my heart to my legs as they carry me as fast as they can to the creek. I can sense Marcus running close by and my wolf allows me to take over my body. Cutting through the trees I can hear his feet splash in the water.

“Gotcha,” my body pushes out of the trees and an exposed Marcus is just a few feet into the creek when my body lunges at him. My arms wrap around his neck as I cling onto him. The gasps that escape him fill my ears as he drops to his knees.

The water seeps into my shoes and through my jeans. “You’re faster than I gave you credit for,” he shakes his head as he pulls himself up along with myself.

“I’ve always been a bit faster than people give me credit for,” I say as I plant my feet firmly on the ground.

Marcus links our hands as he leads us back to the packhouse. “I don’t want to upset the alpha,” Marcus says as the packhouse comes into view. It seems since he has joined the pack we hardly have any time to ourselves.

“Can I confess something?” The heat slowly rises from my neck, Marcus nods, “I’ve been having a hard time sleeping lately.” The words leaving my lips lifts a weight off my shoulders.

“I know what you mean,” he pulls me closer to him tucking my head under his chin, “so have I. My wolf seems...” he pauses and I know exactly what he wants to say.

“Restless.”

“Exactly,” he nuzzles my hair, “like he is scared to wake up and all of this would be just a dream.”

He understands.

“Then sleep in the packhouse,” I say as if it were that easy.

“I sleep close to the packhouse,” he ignores my request. “I sleep in the trees so that I can be as close to you as possible.”

Melany! My father’s voice booms through my mind.

I’m going home, is all I say. “My father is looking for me,“ Marcus’ eyes soften, “I’ll see you soon.”

“Goodnight my beautiful mate,” the hurt in his voice tears at my heart.

“Goodnight,” I say pulling away from him.

There is a small pout on his lips. This pushes me closer to him as I plant a soft kiss on his lips. Before he can react I pull away and run into the packhouse.

We have to do something about this.

“There you are,” my father is at the foot of the stairs when I walk in.

“I’m safe,” no matter how old and how strong I get the worry always seems to be in his eyes when I get home.

“I can see that. Where were you?” He is taking this mate thing more serious than I thought. He usually is happy to see me home and he doesn't ask any questions.

“Out! Can I talk to you not as a father to a daughter but as alpha to pack member,” my father raises an eyebrow.

“As an alpha, you say?” I nod.

“In your office,” my father leads the way as we take the stairs my heart hammers away at my chest.

He takes his seat behind his desk as I sit before him, “What’s all this about? Should I be worried?”

“Alpha,” I clear my throat hoping to dampen the dryness in my throat, “I want to talk about my mate.”

“What about him?” The edge on his voice annoys me.

“Every member in the packhouse is allowed to bring their mate into this house and I wanted...”

“You wanted to know if you could bring Marcus into this house,” he is not yelling but his voice is getting louder.

Swallowing I find it hard to speak so I nod.

“He’s not one of us,” he states coldly.

“What is that suppose to mean?” I snap as my anger feels hot on my tongue.

“We don’t know him well enough to have him join the packhouse,” my father sinks into his chair as if he is finally saying what he has been bottling in.

“He’s my mate,” I yell.

“I don’t trust him. There, are you happy?” His eyes darken before me and my wolf growls. If I do not walk out now I am going to do something I will regret.

“He’s my partner if you like it or not,” I get to my feet, “all that matters is that I trust him.”

My father opens his mouth but I do not let him speak, walking out of the office I rush to my room and slam the door.

Melany.

Go away!

Try to understand, sweetie. I’m never going to trust anyone that can hurt my baby.

With that, he vanishes out of my mind giving me some privacy.

My room is dark except for the moonlight seeping in through my window. The light pulls me like a magnet and I oblige to its calling.

The window swings open with ease, the rustling of leaves pulls my attention to the trees before my window.

“Marcus,” I whisper knowing that if it is him he will be able to hear me.

“Melany,” he walks out of the trees and looks up at me.

“Can you stay the night?” The burning in my eyes makes the tears swell in my eyes. The moonlight blurs as the tears slowly cascade down my cheeks.

“Anything that makes you happy,” he smiles at me, “move back.” I do as he asks. He is in my room in a matter of seconds.

Without speaking we both climb into bed as Marcus wraps his arms around me, holding me protectively.

That night I slept like a child, as Marcus became my safety blanket.

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