Without being told, Marcus knew all along that they were being followed hence his decision to keep moving. He was waiting for the perfect moment to show his face, Marcus knew it'd be best to use the same time to cover enough ground as well.
Maybe he should have told Laura the truth a little sooner but still, there was no guarantee she wouldn't have reacted the same way she did and now instead of trusting him to keep her safe, he took off running.
Without thinking about the situation much, he quickly sprang into action, shredding his human skin just as quickly as he went chasing after her.
Lin wasn't far behind either as he moved with supernatural ease. He was suddenly in her way before she could even make it more than a few steps, halting Laura in her steps as well.
"Not so fast darling. You and I are going to have a lot of fun tonight minus that nosy little boyfriend of yours" Lin said and Laura quickly took a step away from him.
"He is not my boyfriend and I'm not going anywhere without you"
Lin ducked his head to the side with a smile pout on his face. "That's too bad darling but good thing, you don't have a choice"
"Don't freaking call me that" Laura yelled back and Lin quickly closed the remaining distance between them with his fingers wrapped around her neck and she went limp in his hold.
Lin was so immense with her that he didn't see Marcus wolf leaping towards him and before he did, it was already too late as the wild beast smashed into him with a supernatural strength, causing him to abruptly let go Laura as they both stumbled over to the floor.
Marcus wolf was furious in its attack as it continued to tear into the vampires clothes and flesh with its claws and teeth.
Lin quickly regained his composure and threw the beast off him with a chuckle.
"I see you are still an angry pup, Marcus"
Marcus wolf was back before he could saw the next words as it slice through his face, causing the old vampire to cry out in pain before stumbling backward.
He let out a bitter chuckle. "well, I got to hand it to you, Marcus. I was wrong. You are grown now but sorry to announce it to you, you are still no match"
Lin moved just as fast as he held Marcus by the jaw with the intention of snapping it into two.
Marcus wolf was trapped, Laura could very see that much and if Lin is really a vampire then she has no doubt left in her mind that he is going to rip Marcus jaw apart and that would mean death and she doubt if she would want him to look his life just like that.
She struggled back on her feet while Marcus continued to twist under his hold trying to break out of his grip.
"Stop it. You are going to kill him" She cried out and his red crimson eyes looked back to face her.
"But that's the point Laura. To kill little Marcus like I did his mummy and daddy before"
Laura could only gasped at the revelation. He has no right to judge but she could tell from the words that left his mouth that he was truly disgusting.
"please, just let him go and I will go with you since it's me you want" Laura found herself making a deal with him and it seems he liked it.
Instead of letting Marcus go, He slammed the beast against the floor as it was left whimpering on the ground. Laura was about to rush to it side before she was confronted by Lin once again and paused.
He took a step towards her and she took two steps back until she caught on something and landed on her butt with a thud.
Before he could close the distance between them, two more wolves cane out of nowhere and stood in a protective stance before her. The dark one looking more angry and ready for a fight.
Something told her, this were the two brothers Marcus had told him about earlier.
They were the help he had called for and good thing they came at the right time.
Lin paused in his step but certainly not intimated by the appearance of the two wolves beside her.
"Well well well, looks like all the little pups are all grown up now but anyways, I'm not in a mood for a fight today so I'm just going to leave you two to look after your brother. I think he is hurt" He practically chuckled the last part before disappearing in their sight like he was never there.
Once he was gone, she quickly rushed over to Marcus who had shifted back into his human form and lay panting on the floor and even more butt naked but that was the least of her problems. She wanted to make sure he was alive and going to be okay.
"Marcus. Are you okay"
He answered with a groan as he opened his eyes to look back at her. He blink once then twice before focusing on her face.
"I'm fine, Laura. Thanks to you"
He said and she sniffed back a tears starting to cloud her eyes and he reached out a hand to wipe them off before it could spill over.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head unable to find her words and he reached out a hand and pulled her in for a hug.
"it's okay, you are safe now"
While he pulled himself into a seating position, Jackson and Lucien now fully dressed returned his back pack and passed it to him and Lucien made to grab Laura when Marcus sent a warning growl at him and he quickly backed off with confusion in his eyes.
**
Lucien and Jackson exchanged looked with no words being said but one single thought flashed through both their minds "was there a chance that Marcus had a head injury in the fight? Because he was starting to act really strange"
With Marcus hands in hers, she couldn't resist glancing every now and then at Marcus as so many question were swinging through her head. The man holding her hand and sending tingles down her spine was her mate, somewhere deep down her human mind, she wondered how scientifically impossible it truly was for him to turn to a wolf.
But without a doubt, she saw him transformed into one and there was no doubt about it. It wasn't dreamt or imagined. Marcus was really a werewolf and so are his two brothers.
The image of his brown wolf flashed in her mind making her breath come out in a quiet gasp. It was truly fascinating for her and couple with the stress she had passed through in the last 48 hours. She felt like she was living in a totally different world without her even knowing.
Not only is Marcus and his brothers what they are but they is a vampire out there who seem to be drawn to her in some really sick way. Laura was really disturbed by the thought of that man and can only hope he stays away from her forever.
Marcus on the other hand could see the confusion swirling on her face and her facial expression amused him causing him to grin but another part of him wanted to erase all that happened in the last few hours but then again, wishing her to forget would also mean wishing to be erased from her memory as well and he doesn't want that.
Whatever happened today was inevitable and the sooner she found out about things, the better it would be for the both of them. It's true they are strangers but one thing that was good in all this was that they weren't going to start on lies.
"Are you okay?" he heard Jackson ask pulling both him and Laura out of their thoughts.
"I mean like how are you doing mentally after all you have experienced and seen tonight. Many people would have freaked out by now but you aren't and that's just weird"
She chuckled, "Well, I guess it's because Marcus already gave me a few heads up plus, I don't think I'm in danger anymore so, thanks for asking really. This last three days have been nothing but weird, but I will be fine anyway".
"yes baby girl that's the spirit" Jackson said pulling her into a side hug shocking Laura and annoying the hell out of Marcus who just couldn't resist letting out a warning growl to the hearing of his brothers.
Jackson leaped out of her arms in confusion at Marcus weird actions.
"Thanks" Laura said shyly before adding, "I really needed that hug".
Marcus felt his heart sink at the heaviness of her voice, he quickly reached for her hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze and with a smile, she looked up to face him, making his heart skip a beat.
With a suspicious glint in his eyes Lucien looked away from them but said nothing.
Another minute went by before Laura spoke up again, this time, she had addressed both Luc and Jack.
"You guys must be the infamous brothers of Marcus?" she asked trying to start a conversation after how tense the atmosphere have become.
"yes my lady!" Lucian replied, flashing his teeth at her.
"I'm Lucian by the way but you can call me Luc" he said extending his hand for a handshake but upon remembering Marcus reaction to any close proximity to Laura, he quickly retracted his hand before Laura could see it but it was two late as she quickly grabbed hold of it just as firmly.
"Lucian is too formal. I will call you Luc"
Luc nodded with a smile playing at his lips, "As you wish"
"and I'm Jackson, Jack. Whichever you prefer" Jackson said before adding, "it's pleasure meeting a beautiful woman such as yourself, Laura"
He said trying to get a reaction from Marcus who gave him none. Laura cheeks turned hot in embarrassment before getting a grip on herself. Marcus brothers are just so cute and she can't help but like them just as much.
"Thanks for what happened back there. You guys save my life as much as Marcus"
Jack shrugged, "Always a pleasure to save one of our own love"
Catching on with what Jackson was trying to do, Lucian quickly added making Marcus to frown even more, "yes Laura, it was a real pleasure".
Throwing her head backwards, Laura let out a little bit of laughter, melting all the anger Marcus was building up in the chest.
"Okay, seriously, i like you guys".
"Same here, it sure felt good to be around a female after many years" Jackson thought out loud with a glance at his brother Marcus, though he found Marcus behavior weird he couldn't help but think that maybe his elder brother didn't know how else to act around a lady or something else could be at play there and he intends to find out what.
Chapter 12.
As they walked on, Marcus realized, her steps were becoming slow as compared to when they first started out, so he decided to asked just to make sure she is fine.
"Laura are you ok?"
She smiled, "I'm okay, just exhausted from the walk but I will be fine"
"Do you want a ride? Like a piggy ride?" he asked nervously before adding, "its just a friendly offer though"
She smiled and almost squealed yes! but then with his brothers just a step ahead of them, they might think something else had happened, so she put her emotions in check.
"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother seeing how stressed you have had to go through because of me"
Marcus grabbed her hand, bringing them both to a quick stop as he turned her around to face him.
"You're never a bother to me, Laura and I can go to any length just for you so come on, just hop on" He said and bend before her knowing she won't probably refuse him as his offer will override the uneasiness his brothers were causing her especially stupid Jackson.
With a grateful sigh she hoped on and almost immediately she sighed in bliss at the warm contact from his body. Jack cleared his throat at the sight and Marcus gave him a warning glare as he walked passed them with Laura clinging on to him.
They continued to walk in silence as they head towards the clearing where their vehicle were parked and probably a meet up as well. Marcus already send Eddy a message and he would be arriving soon with some of the men he went on the search with.
"how much longer before we get to where the truck is parked".
"we are almost there" Lucian replied before saying, "curiosity is killing me here, i mean how possible was it that Lin had Laura and didn't harm her?".
Marcus fell into deep thought as Lucian continued to think out loud.
"You are right! The Lin we all know doesn't spare anyone. She would have been long gone before we know it" Jackson added.
"What do you say Marc?" Jackson asked as they noticed how silent he was and the brooding look on his face.
"Marc?!" Lucien called out loud and at the same time, pulling him out of his thoughts as well.
"are you okay? You seemed so lost" Luc said curiously and Marcus just nodded his head but said nothing making the brothers drop the topic. Slowly the truck came into view and Jackson raced towards it with Lucien hot on his heels, Marcus couldn't help but feel annoyed that the truck was finally in view.
He wished they had more time to themselves. The thought of letting her go troubled his wolf so much so, it makes his heart hurt. Just then Laura stirred and asked sleepily, "are we home yet?".
"No but the truck is in view" He said simply.
"oh" she replied hazely.
"i don't think i want to let you go just yet, Laura, we have so much to talk about, i mean after so many years, I finally found you when i'd least expected, I just.."
The soft snores erupting her mouth told Marcus he was talking to himself. Laura had fallen asleep once more.
He smiled to himself before walking on. As soon as he dropped her sleeping figure at the back seat and sat beside her, his phone rang. He retrieved it from his pocket and clicked received before attaching it to his ear.
"Hey Ed, I was just about to call you. We just arrived at the meet up point"
The call didn't last very long before it ended. Seems Eddy was waiting for them at their home instead which was good. Means, more time to spend with Laura in the car. Marcus let out a wry sigh as he stares back at Laura's sleeping form. He was dreading the moment he would have to let her go and he doubt if he would be truly ready for it.
Jackson smirked while staring at him from the rearview mirror, something was definitely up and he had a feeling it had to do with Laura.
"let's go" Marcus ordered and Lucien drove off prior to the command.
"You okay bro?, you seem off" Jackson asked staring at his brother whose eyes couldn't leave Laura figure even for a second.
"I'm fine, just a little tired" Marcus replied lazily before leaning backwards again the head rest with his eyes closed.
He felt Laura stir but he remained unmoved, "where are we?"
He heard her ask quietly but gave no reply as he was deep in his own troubling thought.
"Home baby, we are taking you home" Luc said simply and he felt her relax back against her seat.
He laid back and refused to move despite the fact that the truck had already pulled over, "Marcus" he heard Laura whisper after the door was shut at the departure of his brothers.
"I know you aren't sleeping" she began, and he turned on his side to stare back at her.
"How do you know I'm not?"
"its quite obvious because of the way you keep clenching and unclenching your fist even though your eyes were shut".
He still kept mute as his heart thumped against his chest but he gave no response, still staring at her as though he was trying to commit every part of her to memory.
"Did i do something wrong?" She whispered, her voice starting to break.
Laura couldn't understand the spell Marcus had on her. To think they only met some hours ago would be an understatement yet he has made her laugh, cry and even bargain with a vampire all for him just like he did her. Is he crazy to think they are really what he says they were?
Mates is the word he used to described them. Marcus said they were each other mates and even though she would love to think him to be crazy, she just can't help but feel it in her heart that he is right.
Tears filled her eyes and she quickly tried to turn away from him but Marcus was too quick to hold her back, preventing her from doing so.
Laura gasped with shock at the sensation that shot through her as she was left staring into his beautiful eyes, piercing through her very soul and leaving her even more vulnerable than ever.
"You did nothing wrong, Laura. You can never do me wrong. I'm the one who is consumed by my own emotions. I feel like my heart will overflow if I let another of your tears slip"
And without thinking, Laura let go of all logical reasoning and quickly locked lips with him. He felt his body grow tense before they finally relaxed and he took charge, starting to drive her wild as he bite and suck her lips into his mouth, wordlessly asking for permission to take the kiss even further.
Laura was a moaning mess as Marcus continued to ravish her lips over and over again, his kisses gentle yet demanding. Marcus lifted her to seat on his laps, straddling him even but not loosing his attachment to her lips even for a second.
Even in her daze mind, Laura could feel his member digging into her buttocks suggestively and she couldn't help but grind her hip slightly against him, the movement causing a low growl to erupt deep into his chest.
"Is everything okay back there ?" Lucien voice called at them and forcing the two to spring apart just as quickly.
"yeah, we are, um, we are okay" Laura called back, not exactly sure what to say.
Marcus let out an irritated growl when he heard his brothers chuckling. He knew those two are obviously trying to get on his nerves and he is going to make them pay later but for now, his only concern was Laura, Her cheek was still red with embarrassment.
"You okay?" He asked peering at her face and she nodded.
"Good, now come on"
Just about then, his phone chimed, indicating a new message.
It was time for Laura to go home. His expression became Moody instantly and Laura arched a brow at him.
"What is it?"
"It's time to go home" He said staring at her hoping for some sort of reaction and she simply nodded.
Marcus relayed the same information to his brothers before they joined them in the car once again.
"Well we thought Ed was meeting us here but seems he wants us to bring you over so we are headed to the council's office right now" Marcus explained to his brothers before they went on their way.