With Marie safely asleep in his arms, Jacob carefully placed her on the sofa, ensuring she was comfortable. He stepped out the room, letting out a sigh. The emotions of the last 24 hours hitting Jacob. Michael followed
"What happened here Jacob?" Michael quizzed.
"It all happened so fast Michael. The door opened, and my wolf went crazy when her scent hit me. It was like that night all over again. One minute I was stood staring the next we were recognizing and claiming each other as mates. Just like it should have been all along." Jacob leaned against the wall and ran his hands through his hair.
"I just don't understand this Jacob. You rejected her. She was given a second chance wit Blake. Then suddenly she is back here and claimed by you"
"I don't know why she was back here Michael, but she was. She found my letter and reached out. I came here to share something with her. I did not know this was going to happen."
"Does she know you are now Alpha? what about the fact that Elizabeth is no longer with us?"
"She knows nothing Michael. I have not had chance to share anything."
Marie's stirring on the sofa drew immediate attention from Jacob and Dr. Michael. They quickly rushed to her side, their concern evident in their expressions
"Marie, are you okay? How are you feeling?" Jacob falls at her side and strokes his hand over face.
"Take it easy, Marie. You may have a concussion"
"What... what happened?" Marie asked confused, glancing between Jacob and Michael.
"You had a bit of a fall, Marie. You hit your head, but Michael was here to help."
"You're going to be okay, Marie. Do you remember what happened before you fell?" Michael asked
"I remember trying to stop you and Blake from fighting, and then...then Blake pushed me"
"You're going to be fine, Marie." Jacob offered reassurance.
Marie smiled up at Jacob " Thank you for looking after me"
"Always my mate" Jacob whispered as he placed a kiss on Marie's forehead.
Michael looked at the two in front of him. Concern still pulling at his insides as he looked on.
"Marie why were you back home? The last time i saw you, you were heading back to the pack with Blake"
Jacob let out a low growl at the question. Marie stroked his chest to calm him.
"I... I needed some space. Things had gotten complicated."
"complicated, how?" Jacob looked at her.
"So much has happened since that night Jacob. I don't even know where to start" Marie let out a yawn.
"All that can wait, my mate. Lets get you to bed" Jacob said with warmth. He helped Marie stand. Her legs wobbled beneath her. Jacobs strong arms supported her and then lifted her into his embrace as if she weighed the same as a feather. He carried her back to her bed.
Jacob placed her gently down on the bed and pulled the covers up ad tucked her in. "Get some rest. I will be down stairs" He strokes her hand. As he turns to leave Marie reached out and gently grabbed his hand. Her voice, soft
"Jacob, please, stay with me."
Jacob paused, his eyes filled with warmth and affection as he looked down at Marie. He nodded in response to her request, a reassuring smile on his face.
"Always". He climbs into the bed and Marie settles herself onto his chest. his heartbeat and breathing acting as a comfort to her system.
"Marie, I know this situation is hard, but i want you to know that, things are very different now. I will never hurt you again. I should never have hurt you in the first place. I was weak then, But i am not now and i will always protect you"
"Jacob, Please tell me everything, i want to know"
"I will when you wake, I promise" he leans down and places a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Please Jacob. I need to know why this is happening to me...us" Marie pleaded.
Jacob shifted his position in the bed, took a deep breath.
"So much has happened. even before i came back to you the first time. I want you to know Marie. that i didn't want to reject you. When i can back to you i wanted you. My father....he came up with the plan. I was so weak i should have stood up to him, but instead i was a coward"
Marie remained silent, but shifted her weight into Jacobs embrace encouraging him to continue.
"After that night, I returned home and challenged my father for his title of Alpha, and i won. I made him submit, As i stepped away Elizabeth came running over and i thought she was coming to me, but she ran straight past me and threw herself onto my fathers bloody and beaten body. Crying. Shouting and screaming. My anger rose in my chest. I had never wanted to take her as my mate after i found out i had you. He forced me to....and all the time he was....."
Tears pulled at his eyes. Marie sat up and took his face in her hands. "I am so sorry Jacob. You didn't deserve that"
"Please don't feel sorry for me Marie. I do not deserve it"
"I know you tried to save me that night Jacob. I remember you coming to my room to try and get me to run. I saw it in your face each time i looked at you in that hospital room i felt your pain. I wanted to just be with you, but then you touched me and the pain."
Tears now freely falling down Jacob's face. "Marie, I can't help but remember that night. The pain of rejecting you, the regret... It haunts me."
"I don't know why Jacob, but we have been brought back together. I have forgiven all that happened that night"
Jacob smashed his lips down onto Marie's. Seeking comfort from his mate. Marie returned the kiss with urgency wanting to calm him and show him she had forgive him.
As they pulled apart with heavy breath's they looked into each others eyes.
"Can i ask what happened to the mark on your neck? When i saw you last time you wore her mark and then yesterday when i saw you stood at the door there was nothing there"
Jacob let his head drop "When i saw her draped over my father, The anger in me, erupted. I could not control it. After everything i had gone through with losing you and now this. The betrayal was too much for my wolf. He took over my mind and the next thing i remember is standing over her dead body...Then i felt a burning pain rip through my neck and the following morning the mark on my neck was gone."
Marie could not bring herself to say anything. She didn't know what to say. Instead she turned and wrapped her true mate in her arms and tried to calm him. His sobs wracking against her.