Chapter Three

Marcus' POV

"Do you want us to go after them?" My beta Randy watched me follow my retreating mate, but I would let her go for now.

My wounds were already healed, but I was weak. My vision red with hunger. I cannot be around her like this it would be too tempting.

"Let us return home for now." I turned to him before sprinting off back to the new land I had acquired during this damn war. I moved my pack out here to take a stronger stand against the demon rebel groups I kept hearing about.

As one of the three Triune Triade Alpha's I had been given this region. It was wild and holding on by a thread, but I was determined to make it livable again. The run back home only took fifteen minutes in wolf form. As soon as we entered the pack house Jennifer was there to great us along with my stepsister Sandie.

They had both thrown damn temper tantrum like little schoolgirls when we had left without them.

"Not right now Sandie I am not in the mood." I walked past her praying I could get to my room before she upset me.

"Marcus, do not give me that attitude." It was laughable the way she kept trying to scold me, but I allowed it. She was the only family I had left after this damn war had taken everyone else.

My mother being a vampire had been one of the first creatures targeted by the humans. She was elegant and sweet. Growing up she loved her flowers. "It is like growing your own personal happiness." She used to joke.

She never would have hurt a soul. That didn't stop the group of hunters who had cornered her one night when she was out looking for me. I had been upset and ran off to cool down.

She never stood a chance against all of them. My father had died years ago before the war from a demon attack. So, Sandie being a vampire from before my mother met my father was all the family I had.

"I know you are bored, and I know you want to go out, but it isn't safe." It was about the hundredth time we have had this conversation.

"Marcus, please, I am losing my mind!" she threw her hands out to emphasize her point.

"Look things will get better. When they do get better, I will personally take you anywhere you want to go." She pouted but I knew I had won her over. She was pretty easy.

"At least tell me about it." I had made my way into the kitchen taking out a blood bag from the fridge popping them on my teeth to take the edge off my hunger.

"About what, Sandie." Leaning against the sink she sat herself down at the kitchen island opposite me with big bright eyes.

"Your trip!" She bounced excitedly.

"There isn't much to tell." I threw the bag away trying not to meet her eyes, "We found a group of the rebels draining some of the humans living over in Skull Valley and then watched my mate kill one of them." I rushed the last part out hoping she would not hear me.

Her eyes grew three sizes bigger than usual, if that was even possible. "I'm sorry, back up," She walked around the island to jam her bony finger into my chest, "did you say, mate!" she squealed the last part making my ears ring. I sighed and pushed her hand away from me.

"Yes," sighing I knew she would not let this go and I can pretty much kiss going to sleep tonight out the window.

"Oh my god! Where is she?" she looked around as if I were hiding her behind my back this whole time. I rolled my eyes at her. She looked like a damn two-year-old on Christmas morning.

"I let her go." I shrugged my shoulders as if I had not just told her the biggest news ever.

"Are you fucking kidding me!" She screamed at me obviously upset. "I cannot fucking believe you! Mom did not raise you this way. You let my best friend just walk away. I bet you did not even try to stop her." She stomped her way all the way up to her room and slammed the door.

"Well, I guess that is one way to come home." I muttered before heading up to my own room. Thoughts of my mate still plaquing my mind.

I know she felt the same desire for me that I had felt for her, but she still tried to kill me. She did not want me.

Damn it I do not care! One way or the other she was going to be mine. Even if I have to drag her kicking and screaming, she would be mine.