Marie hated the idea of having to face Sargon after what she witnessed in the garden with him and Dezerae. She needed space away from him so she could think straight but she had more important things to focus on apart from her emotions.
She walked over to Sargon's office and saw one of his guards standing by. She dreaded asking if he was in there, not wanting to see him with Dezerae again.
"I am looking for Alpha Sargon. It is urgent." Marie said to the guard.
The guard immediately opened the door to Sargon's office before she could even finish speaking and allowed Marie to walk in. She was surprised by the guards' actions. She looked back at him after walking by as he closed the door behind her.
Sargon sat at his desk with one hand on his head. His fingers moved back and forth along his brow as a glass of whiskey sat in front of him. Next to his drink was an ashtray where a lit cigar rested as the smoke rose into the air.
He seemed to be thinking about worrisome things as though the world sat on his shoulders. He didn't even notice Marie walk into his office, nor did he hear the door open or close. That was uncommon for someone like him. A werewolf's senses were usually heightened compared to humans.
As Marie walked towards him, he looked up, catching her scent that he loved so much.
"You are here." He said softly.
Marie took a deep breath to control her emotions. "I am here." She replied.
"How is Harold? I need to go check on him." He said, with a hoarseness to his voice. He seemed tired. His energy was heavy on him like a cloak.
Marie looked down and away from Sargon. She thought before she answered. She wanted to be strong but when she was alone with Sargon, all the walls she built around herself would crumble. She felt vulnerable.
"He is not well, and I do not know if I am strong enough to help him." She said as she broke into tears. Sargon immediately stood up and walked towards her, pulling her into an embrace as her tears saturated his shirt.
"It will be ok, Marie." Sargon said trying to hide the impact Marie's words had on him. He realized at that moment that he had more faith in Marie than she had in herself.
"They do not deserve this. Catelyn does not deserve this. Vianna does not deserve this. They should be a happy family preparing for the new baby." She said through her teeth as the anger consumed her. Her eyes began glowing as she tried to control the hurt, she was feeling.
"Harold is strong. He will fight for himself and his family. I have faith that you can do this." Sargon said as Marie took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"Harold is resting now. Dr. Brinks gave him a shot. It will last for a little while, but I need to be able to help him before the full moon is complete or we will lose him." She said.
Sargon held Marie tighter and kissed the top of her head. It felt so good being in his arms. For a moment she put aside everything he had done that upset her.
He took Marie by the hand and walked her over to the couch where they had their first conversation. Marie walked over to the opposite side of the couch to sit as Sargon pulled her close to him and they both sat on his side.
She lay her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her.
"I am sorry for everything. I never meant to hurt you." He said as tears quietly rolled down her cheeks.
"I have just been trying to be a good ruler and protect my kingdom. In the process of protecting my kingdom, I failed to protect your heart." He said as he lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes.
Marie sat back a bit, leaning her head on the couch.
"I don't understand your world. I am not sure if that is something I want to understand. I have fallen in love with you." She said as her eyes widened. She hadn't planned to express herself to Sargon like this, not with all that had happened. It was too late to take it back now. She was simply being truthful.
"I love you too, Marie. You are all I want." Sargon said as he cupped the side of her face with his hand. She closed her eyes and leaned her face into his palm.
"I do not want to have a child with her. I do not want to marry her. Yes, our kingdoms would be powerful but for once in my life, I want to choose what truly makes me happy. You make me happy, Marie."
Marie reached her arms around Sargon's neck, squeezing him tightly. She straddled him and placed her cheek on his as she closed her eyes while Sargon wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in tightly. She touched her forehead to his and rubbed his nose with hers gently.
"I do not want to be the downfall of this kingdom. I do not want to be your distraction. I do not add value to your rule. We are from two different worlds. I want you to be the best king there has ever been. I want you to be proud of the legacy you are leaving behind. If that means I need to step out of your life, then I will take every ounce of my will to do so." She said, forcing the words out of her mouth.
Sargon looked at Marie as sadness consumed him.
"You add value to everything that I am. You have brought me peace within and hope for a future filled with love and happiness. You do not understand what you mean to me. When I marked you, it was not to own you. I marked you because you are my mate, and I was drawn to you. I wanted to share my world with you. I knew you were mine. My wolf knew you were mine even before I did."
Sargon brushed his lips against Marie's, giving her soft kisses on her cheek and down her neck.
"If it is possible, I want you to bear my child. I want you to be my wife. I want you to share in all I am doing for my kingdom. I do not care whether or not you have a wolf. There is a reason we were mated. The moon goddess does not make mistakes. We belong together." He said as he combed his fingers through her hair and kissed her deeply. For a long moment, they became lost in each other. Nothing mattered but them.
As they kissed, Marie felt Sargon touch her hand. When she looked down, there was a glimmering diamond ring on her ring finger. Surrounding the Diamond were yellow stones set in a gold band. Marie gasped as she realized what it was.
"Unless you take this off and decide to walk away, you belong to me not only in my world but in yours. I am all yours. When you are ready, we can have a wedding and anything else you desire. You are all I want. You are all I need." He said giving her one more kiss.
Marie was speechless as she gazed at the ring.
"Now that I have made myself clear on my intentions with you, we can get to work. He said as Marie shook her head in agreement as she held back her tears.
"Where is Dezerae?" Marie asked curiously.
"I sent her back to her kingdom. What she wants, I am not willing to give. The counsel is willing to be allies but they agree that marriage is not necessary. Dezerae wasn't having it, so I told her to go home and think about it while I tend to the pressing matters in my kingdom." He said.
Marie tried not to smile but she couldn't help it.
"You are a piece of work, Marie." Sargon teased as he noticed her delight in his words.
"That is why you love me." She shot back.
"This is true. Now tell me, what do you need to help Harold?" He asked telepathically.
"Let's get to work!" She said as she pulled Sargon off of the couch and head out of his office hand in hand.