Chapter fourteen

Alina sprinted across the parking lot, her heart pounding as she chased after Marcus. He was already at his car, slamming the door shut. She managed to block his way just as he was about to start the engine.

Marcus rolled down the window, his face twisted in annoyance. "Get out of the way, or I'll hit you."

She scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "I'm not moving an inch. I want to talk to you."

He revved the engine threateningly, but she stood her ground. With a frustrated growl, he threw the car into park and got out, slamming the door behind him.

"What the fuck do you want, Alina? To get hit?" he snarled, towering over her.

"No, but I really want to talk to you. If getting hit is what it takes, then I'm ready to risk it," she replied, she said calmly despite the fear bubbling in her stomach.

Marcus glared at her, eyes dark with anger. "You know, you're surprisingly stubborn."

"You don't scare me with those eyes of yours," she said, rolling her eyes.

"What do you want?" he demanded.

"My book, of course," she said, holding out her hand. "Have you forgotten you told me if I helped you with your homework, you would give me back my book? So give it to me."

He hissed and chuckled, a mocking sound. "I'm not giving you anything. Get out of the way, or I will knock you down."

As he turned to get back in his car, Alina darted past him and opened the back door, slipping inside before he could stop her. She sat there, defiant, staring at him through the rearview mirror.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm not getting out of this car until you give me my book," she said firmly.

A slow, evil grin spread across his face. "So you're no longer afraid? Well, since you asked for it, let's go."

"Go where, Marcus—" she began, but her words were cut off as he slammed on the gas, the car lurching forward.

The streets blurred as Marcus sped through the town, taking sharp turns and driving recklessly. Alina gripped the seat, her knuckles white, fear gnawing at her resolve.

"Marcus, slow down!" she shouted, but he only laughed like a crazy person, the sound chilling.

"What's the matter, Alina? Regretting your decision?" he taunted, not taking his eyes off the road.

Alina's heart pounded, and she realized she had made a terrible mistake. "Marcus, please, this isn't funny!"

He glanced at her in the rearview mirror, his grin widening. "You wanted your book, right? Maybe I'll give it to you when we get there."

"Get where?" she demanded, but he didn't answer.

The car skidded to a stop in a deserted parking lot surrounded by thick woods. Marcus turned off the engine and got out, opening the back door. Alina scrambled out, her legs shaky.

She doubled over, vomiting from the rough ride. Marcus watched, amused. "Pathetic. Had enough yet?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Just give me my book," she snapped, glaring at him.

He laughed cruelly. "Suit yourself."

Then, his expression shifted as he heard a noise from the woods nearby. "Stay in the car," he ordered, his voice suddenly serious.

Alina, still angry and nauseous, didn't notice his change in demeanor. "What are you saying? Stop pretending and just give me my book!" she yelled.

Without warning, Marcus grabbed her arm, shoving her back into the car and slamming the door shut. "Do not open this door, no matter what," he commanded.

Alina opened the door. "Marcus, stop playing. I know you. Give me my book."

Marcus closed the door back. "Alina, I'm not kidding. Please stay in the car. I don't want you to get hurt. And no matter what, don't come outside."

Alina's anger turned to unease as she watched Marcus disappear into the woods. Was he serious? What was out there? Her heart pounded as she locked the car doors, starting to panic as her eyes darted around the surroundings warily.

Marcus moved swiftly through the trees, his senses on high alert. He caught the scent before he saw them—three men, their presence familiar and unwelcome. "You're the same wolves that visited our quarters," he growled. "I remember your scent. What do you want?"

One of the men chuckled. "So, you're the Alpha. Aren't you too young for that?"

"If you want to find out, you'll have to come closer," Marcus replied.

The three men advanced slowly, their eyes gleaming with malice. Suddenly, Alina's voice broke through the tension. "Marcus! Where are you?"

"I guess we have company," one of them said.

The men turned towards the sound, their expressions darkening. Without hesitation, they dashed towards her voice. Panic surged through Marcus. "Alina, run!" he shouted, chasing after them.

Alina could hear Marcus but couldn't see him. "Where are you, Marcus?" she screamed, her voice trembling. Suddenly, the three men burst out from the trees, closing in on her. Just as they reached for her, Marcus appeared, slamming into them with incredible force.

Two of the men were thrown back by his powerful push, crashing through the underbrush.

The last one tried to fight back, but Marcus was too quick and powerful. He knocked the man down, leaving him groaning on the ground. "Is that all you've got?" Marcus screamed at him. He followed it up with more blows.

Alina's heart raced as she watched Marcus handle the attackers. Her fear turned to confusion and curiosity. What was happening?

Marcus turned to her, his face serious. "What are you still doing?" Marcus screamed at Alina. "Go back to the car before the other two come back."

"Are you going to be fine all by yourself?" she cried.

"Yes, now go!" Marcus said impatiently.

As she began to run, she looked back for a second and saw Marcus delivering a flurry of punches and kicks that left the attacker dazed on the ground. Marcus didn't relent, ensuring the man wouldn't rise again. But the other two were now running towards him.

She ran back to the car and locked it in a hurry. She was very frightened and trembling all over.

Few minutes later, Marcus rushed back to the car, flinging the door open. "We need to go, now!" he urged, his breath ragged.

Alina nodded, no longer questioning him. She scrambled back into the passenger seat as Marcus revved the engine, speeding away

When Marcus returned home that evening after dropping Alina off, he made sure to discuss what happened with his parents. He even called his uncle Andel to tell him about the incident.

Both his parents and Andel were of the opinion that he should not discuss the matter with the rest of the pack, since there was serious unrest in the camp about the rogue wolves snooping around and the strange events that happened last time. Some of the pack members were already nervous, and rumors were beginning to fly that some other wolf pack wanted to take over their pack.

Though the rumors were false, Marcus still didn't want to tell the others that the actual threat was—his unidentified mate.

He decided to bury the event as his parents and Andel had advised him to, but the only problem was Alina. He had made sure to tell her not to mention what happened to anyone.

Even though she agreed, he still did not trust her; she was very inquisitive and would definitely want to have a conversation with him about the incident. He needed to avoid Alina, and the only way he could successfully do that was by giving her the damn scrapbook, but not all of it—just half. This would get her off his back for some time.