Jacob follows his father out of the office with his head hanging low. Every fiber in his body was fighting against the decision he was making. Music continued filling the halls along with the raised voices of those at the party enjoying themselves. Jacob knew Elizabeth would keep the party in full swing other then bring it to a close.
"Where did you leave this maid, son?" His father's voice came and snapped him out of his thoughts.
"The library, father. I must warn you she was injured when I left. There may be blood when we arrive."
"Another mess to clean up" Alpha Barrett growled under his breath.
Jacob led his father to the library and paused outside the door. He paused to listen for any signs she was still there. He suddenly caught her scent mixed with the smell of her blood and his chest ached. Next, her heartbeat reached his ears along with low soft sobs. He could not take this any more and he raced through the door, wanting to sweep her up and keep her safe. He landed on his knees by her side but she did not react. Blood continued to pour down her arm and she lay curled up in the very spot her left.
"I am so sorry" he whispered as he leant forward and licked her wound, knowing it would now seal with the power of the mate bond.
The blood slowed and the cut sealed. A smile spread across his face. He turned to his father.
"I cannot do this to her father. I will claim her as mine"
Anger grew in Alpha Barrett's chest as he stalked towards his son. In two strides he was by his side. He grabbed his chin and aligned their eyes. This wolf is no Luna and she will not become a leader in my pack. Now you will reject her and we will finish the plan" He released his chin and pushed him back to face Marie, who had now raised her head to watch the interaction between father and son. Her eyes met Jacobs and she pleaded silently with him not to do this, but she knew it was too late.
" I.....I Jacob Jones, Future alpha of the dark moon pack...re..re.. reject you Marie." he suddenly realized he did not know her full name. He looked at her with pain and sadness in his eyes. Marie looked away and lowered her head as she spoke her name,
"Starke"
Both men in the room gasped as it dawned on them that she shared the same last name as Lord Francis.
"This does not change things, son. DO IT NOW" he roared with his alpha authority, making his son submit.
" I Jacob Jones, future alpha of the Dark Moon pack reject you Marie Starke as my mate,"
Pain erupted in both their chests and tears filled their eyes. Jacob felt the breath leave his body as he fell to the floor. his entire body wracked in pain. he raised his eyes to look Marie who was lying motionless on the floor staring at him. her body did writhe in pain but he could see it in her eyes
"I Marie Starkey accept your rejection" with those words the pain crept from her to eyes to every inch of her body. It felt as is she had been placed onto hot volcanic stones. the once sweet smelling scent of her mate, turned into the taste of ash on her tongue. her vision became blurry and the room was spinning. Darkness consumed her and her eyes closed.
Marie's eyes fluttered open and she found herself lying in her bed in the maids quarters. the room only lit by a small corner lamp. the room so quiet that Marie could hear her heart bearing against her chest. The pain she felt early lingered on her body and her chest felt heavy. She lifted herself up rubbing her eyes.
Marie looked around wondering what was next for her. Everything she had hoped that would come with finding her mate had been destroyed. She no longer had anything to live for. Marie had no idea how she had come to be on her bed rather than lying in the broken glass in the library. Marie glanced down at her arm and saw that it had now sealed and was starting to heal slowly. She lay herself back down gently onto the bed. She assumed as she had been put there by somebody that she was okay to rest. her eyes fluttered close and the darkness once again took over.
Marie was awoken by a dark figure shaking her body. "wake up Marie, Please you must wake up!"
Marie's eyes snapped open and as they adjusted to the darkness she saw that the figure was Jacob. Marie pushed his hands away from her and quickly moved up the bed to get away from him.
"please Marie" he begged. "you must get up and run! My father won't stop at us rejecting each other he's going to...."
Suddenly a mighty roar filled the room and Jacob was thrown across the room, crashing into the wall and landing in a heap. a dark figure stood over him pinning him down growling as he did. A second figure, who Marie did not know grabbed her by her hair and yanked her from the bed. The tall wolve towered over Marie and his dark sunken eyes looked menacing at her.
suddenly the room filled with the scent of blood and Marie's body was discarded to the floor. Marie lay on the floor in a puddle of her blood, her hand grabbing at the area the knife had slid into so easily as if the wolves inflicting the injury were slicing butter. Her body was cold and she was in shock. she was unable to move or speak. She could only keep her eyes on Jacob who was now by her side. His hands also grabbed at the wound and he had his shirt in his hand applying pressure.
"you will be okay Marie"
The door to the room flew open and pack members began rushing in. a older wolve who Marie recognised as the pack doctor barged past Jacob and pushed him out of the way.
"Move boy!! let me get to her!"
Marie began screaming in pain as a burning sensation ripped through every inch of her body. The burning was then followed by stinging all over her skin. The pack doctor removed the shirt Jacob had been using to stem the bleeding and gasped in horror at the mark that was forming on Marie's stomach.
"we must get her to the hospital right away" The doctor signalled to two other wolves who had entered the room for them to pick her up. Jacob jumped Infront of Marie before they could reach her and scooped her up into his arms. Marie continued to thrash and writhe in pain, it took all of Jacobs strength to keep her still against his chest Jacob ran out of the room and straight past the crowd that had gathered having heard the commotion. His eyes met Sophie's who was stood with a confused expression on her face. Jacob shook his head at her and continued on his way to the hospital. Sophie too decided to follow.
Jacob ran into the hospital and was met by a nurse. The nurse directed Jacob into a medical room that was filled with equipment and monitors. the pack doctor arrived right behind him. "put her on the bed now"
Jacob did as he was told and placed Marie gently onto the hospital bed. Marie had now stopped thrashing and lay motionless on the bed with her eyes closed.
The doctor and nurse set about treating the wound and Jacob could see the worried glances they were sharing.
"She is going to be okay isn't she doc?" Jacob asked with pain in his voice
"I can only hope we have treated her in time"
The nurse hurriedly carried out the orders from the doctor. placing cannulas and giving IV fluids and the. taking bloods which she popped in a bang and ran out the room.
Marie was hooked up to all different types of machines each beeping at different times. the noises were becoming overwhelming for Jacob who was now pacing the room and constantly looking over the doctors shoulder.
"Jacob, go wait in the waiting room. you pacing and looking over my shoulder is not helping"
" I am sorry Doc....I will go, but please the moment you have an update you must let me know". The doctor nodded in agreement not taking his eyes if Marie.
Jacob walked out if the room and down the hallway to the waiting room.
"What the hell is going on here" Sophie's voice rang out and snapping Jacobs attention.
Jacob knew it was too late to backtrack on the plan he and his father had masterminded together although he had earlier tried, the opportunity had now passed.
"I found her injured and brought her here" was only he could bring himself to say.
"you should have left the bitch" Sophie said sniggered.
"You are the bitch" Jacob snapped back.
"that girl in there is a member of the pack that I will soon be alpha of. I will not let any of my pack members suffer! Do you understand me?" Jacob yelled and fie the first time used his alpha power to enforce that Sophie was to not push her limits further. Sophie hung her head.
"Yes Jacob, I understand. I am sorry for saying what I did"
"you can leave Sophie, there is no reason for you to stay"
"but Jacob I want to stay with you, as future Luna I want to support our pack too"
Jacob let out a loud giggle as he took in the words Sophie had just dared speak to him.
"you do not care about her in that room. you only wish to be here with me and to get the gossip. now leave!"
Sophie dropped her head with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. She turned and ran from the hospital. Jacob sat down in the waiting room, head in his hands waiting for any news on Marie.