I wasn't sure how much I could tell Quinn. I had only been here for a day and I didn't know what Marcus told his enforcers.
"How much has Marcus told you about why I am here?".
Quinn looked thoughtful as he continued to scrutinize the sketch of the wolf. "I am aware of the original contract and that there was an incident during the bonding ceremony at the Dark Pine pack house but I have yet to be given any details."
I nod in response. "Perhapse we should have a talk with Marcus once he returns home."
I figured this would be the best course of action as I also had questions for the Alpha.
"Agreed."
I spent the rest of the afternoon looking through the selection of books in the library. There were a few volumes I pulled from various shelves and had taken to my room.
I kept one novel that interested me on local legends and folk tales, packed up my drawing supplies and headed to the drawing room to wait for Marcus.
I was curled up on the very comfortable sofa with a blanket tucked around me when Marcus walked through the door. I placed a bookmark to keep my place in the book. I had been in the middle of a story about the ancient creatures that roamed the dark forest. I had heard some talk about them before but never really believed that these monsters actually existed.
"Marcus." I called as I watched the Alpha remove his jacket as he walked past the room, presumably to his private study to do whatever it was alphas did there.
He looked up and smiled at me. "Riley. I'm glad you decided to make yourself comfortable here." He glided over to the couch and settled in the chair beside me.
"Did you have a good day?"
I pondered his question for a moment before I spoke. "It was enlightening." I finally replied.
Marcus looked at me, confusion painted on his face. "There is something we need to discuss." I continued before Marcus could reply.
Quinn took that moment to walk in with a tray of snacks and tea. He placed it on the low table then took a seat in the chair on the other side of the couch.
Marcus raised an eyebrow at his strategist. "You are making me feel like I am on trial here." Marcus chuckled.
"Maybe you are." I tilted my head as I watched him then slowly reached out and placed the drawing I had sketched that on the table so Marcus could see it. His back went rigid as he saw what it was.
"You knew." I whispered. "You knew that the Blood Dawn enforcers were waiting for me in the woods that night."
Marcus sighed and looked up at me. "I suspected that Cynthia was up to something. I had sent Sylus to follow you but he was intercepted by a group of mercenaries Cynthia had hired to keep anyone who went looking for you out of the woods." Marcus explained.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I clenched the blanket in my lap and wrapped it around me like a protective shield.
"I was trying to protect you." He started.
"Bull shit! If you were protecting me then you should have been honest from the beginning." My hands were shaking as the hurt and anger burned through me. "I thought I could finally start to trust you Marcus, thought that maybe I was safe and could make a life here. But you are still keeping secrets from me, still making excuses that it was for my own protection."
"You're right." Marus replied as he looked down at his own massive hands that were clutched tightly together in his lap. "I assumed that it was best to keep this information from you because I didn't think it would change anything. You already knew it was Cynthia that tried to kill you because she was there when her enforcers attacked."
He was right. This information didn't change what happened to me that night.
Quinn took the sudden silence to clear his throat. We both looked over at him. "If I may speak on the matter." He began and waited for Marcus to nod his accent. "While this information can't change the past, it can be used to build a case against Blood Dawn and Cynthia." The strategist smiled as he continued. "Cynthia will undeniably attempt to cover everything up that could lead her to the event, but there is always a paper trail. She hired mercenaries to help her with this little coup she is attempting. It won't be hard to find out who these mercenaries are or who hired them."
Marcus was thoughtful for a moment before he nodded. "Do it. I want any and all information on what Cynthia and the Blood Dawn pack are up to."
Quinn then stood and walked out of the room.
"I am guessing you aren't done with me yet." Marcus looked over at my still angry face.
"Not even close." I growled. "If you want me to stay here, for me to trust you I need to know everything. No more secrets." I crossed my arms to keep my hands from shaking as I waited for Marcus to answer me.
He slid his hands through his hair and took a deep breath. "There is still a lot I don't know Riley." He admitted. "I already told you everything I knew about the contract between our packs, and everything I found out about the attack the other night. But I will share anything I find out with you from now on."
I nodded, satisfied with his answer. Only time would tell if he kept his word.
"One more question." Marcus tensed and waited silently for me to continue. "Why did you go through my personal belongings and take my suppressants?"
"To save your life." He replied quietly. "Anthony was worried about you after your medical exam."
"He told you about my exam? That is private information!" I snarled as I got up and paced the room.
"Listen to me Riley!" He got up and grabbed my shoulders to stop my pacing. "You have never had a full heat cycle before, and the suppressants can only help for so long before your body adapts. If you go into heat after a suppressant failure it will kill you without medical intervention."
I looked at him, shocked by what he had said. "Anthony only told me that you were growing immune to the suppressants and that I should convince you to stop taking them." He smiled sadly at me. "But I knew that if he didn't convince you then I wouldn't have a chance. That is why I had them taken from your room."
My knees buckled as a sob escaped my lips. Marus slid his arms around my waist to steady me and settled me back on the couch. "There is more." He stated as he tucked the blanket back around me. "You will start going through withdrawl as the drug starts leaving your system."
"Great." I mumbled. "Can't wait for that to happen."
Marcus tucked a stray hair behind my ear as he gazed down at me. "I will be here to help you through it. I also asked Alex to have Anthony brought here to watch over you."
"You are having Dr. Sung brought here? Don't you have your own pack doctor?"
I was surprised that Marcus had even considered letting another doctor take care of my in his own territory.
"I thought it would be better to have someone you know look after you, someone you trust."
I nodded as the tension slid out of me. I was tired and my body ached all the way down to my bones.
"How about we get some dinner and I will have one of the staff prepare a bath for you."
I nodded. A bath sounded wonderful at that moment, my body however had other plans.
As I tried to stand pain shot through my legs. I whimpered as I fell back onto the couch.
"My body, it hurts!" I cried as tears fell hot down my cheeks.
"The withdrawal symptoms." Marcus snarled. "They are early." He bent down and gently lifted me in his arms. I groaned as the movement sent pain throbbing throughout my body. "I'm sorry Riley, but you are going to be in pain until the drug clears your body."
Marus took me to my room and placed me gently on the bed. He then took out his phone and made a call.
"Anthony is on his way, just hang in there."
I barely heard Marcus' words over the thunder of my own heart in my ears.
"Please, don't leave me!" I gasped as I tried to find his hand.
Marcus placed his large calloused hand in mine. I gripped it hard like it was the only thing keeping me alive.
"I will stay as long as you need me." He pushed my hair back from my sweaty forehead.
"Ok" I whispered as my eyes fluttered closed and darkness took me.