My Mate

3: Marked

Some time had passed and Levy had decided that she didn't want to be marked. The thought scared her. However, she couldn't help but feel bad. If Ryan was being truthful, she would be the reason for his death. It ate at her, but she couldn't give herself to him. She just couldn't. If it was anything like how it worked in books, he would feel everything she felt. He would be able to know what she knows, see what she sees. They would be one person. She barely knew Ryan. They were nothing more than strangers. A stranger that saved her life... Yet, giving him full control over her... An anxiety-inducing thought.

The sound of the door opening caught Levy's attention.

"Have you had enough time to think?" Ryan asked, nerves lacing his voice. Levy just silently nodded her head, no emotion on her face. Ryan entered the room cautiously, as if something would pounce at him at any moment.

"I can't let you mark me, Ryan. I'm sorry." Levy stated, looking at her hands. Thick silence filled the room until the sounds of steps approaching the bed emerged.

"You're rejecting me?" Sadness coated each word, making Levy's heart clench in pain at the harm she had inflicted.

"No. I'm just not comfortable being marked. I'm not accepting, nor rejecting you." Levy slowly lifted her gaze to meet his beautiful eyes. She could see his pain just through his eyes alone. It killed her.

"I don't have forever." Was all he said, as he turned and left.

"Ryan." He stopped, keeping his back to Levy. "I really am sorry," Levy said again, her voice pleading for forgiveness. Ryan's fists clenched, his knuckles turned white, and he took in a large intake of air.

"Sorry can't allow me, my mate." With that, he left. The door slammed behind him, making Levy flinch.

❧ ❦ ☙

It felt like hours since Levy had spoken to anyone. Ryan hadn't come back since then. She was hungry and bored, and pain filled her shoulder with every movement she made. Leaning her head onto the pillows supporting her, she closed her eyes, as sleep pulled her away from life temporarily. There wasn't much else to do. Dreams... Dreams are a powerful thing. So powerful, that the memory of them fades as quickly as they come.

The sweet smell of freshly cooked sausage and eggs was what woke Levy. Turning her head, she saw a plate with a full English breakfast sitting on the bedside table. Beans, eggs, sausage, hash browns, and toast. A smile made its way over her lips, and she reached for the plate. Pain shot through her like a rocket. Unable to hold it in, she released a scream of pain. Ryan came rushing in, checking for danger. Grabbing onto her arms gently, the pain calmed down, letting Levy relax. He lent Levy back onto the pillows, grabbing a glass of water from the bedside table, giving it to her. She gratefully accepted it, gulping down the refreshing liquid. With a gentle clink, he put the glass back on the side, and passed her the plate with a knife and fork.

"Do you need anything else? I can get you a tray if you want?" Ryan asked, making Levy smile.

"A tray would be nice. I'm a messy eater." She awkwardly laughed, slightly blushing. Ryan smiled as he walked out the room, coming back moments later with a bed tray. He unfolded the legs, placed it over Levy, and moved the plate of food onto it. "Thank you." An unidentifiable emotion flickered through Ryan's eyes, as he nodded and left the room after giving a TV remote to Levy. That's when she noticed a TV on the wall. "Ryan?!" Levy called. Ryan rushed in, with joy and hopefulness expressed on his face. "That TV wasn't there before, was it?" Ryan's face dropped.

He shook his head. "No. It's a hidden TV." With that, Ryan pressed a button on the remote, making the TV fold up into the ceiling.

"Oh my gosh! That's so cool!" Levy exclaimed. Ryan nodded, and left once Levy had started to eat while watching a reality show.

❧ ❦ ☙

It had been a couple of weeks since Levy was attacked. Her shoulder had healed extremely fast, sleeping through most of the first week with the aid of strong painkillers. When she was awake, she binged her favourite shows on the telly. Ryan came and went, bringing Levy food, water, books, and helping Levy move about when she needed to go to the bathroom, and making sure she stretched her legs, so her body remained healthy. Other than that, Levy didn't see much of anyone else. With the small amount of time they'd seen each other, Ryan explained in detail about wolves. He explained the packs' history, about their current Alpha, Alpha Lan's and Luna's child, heat, and answered her questions about what other creatures from books exist.

❧ ❦ ☙

Levy sat there, thinking over what Ryan said. He saved her life, now she had to save his. There was no way she could say no if it meant he would die. However, it didn't make the thought of being his any easier to accept. She had to give up all the freedom she was used to. She couldn't ever build walls that Ryan couldn't easily break. Promising remain loyalty to a man she hardly knew. Feeling scared was an understatement. What if she felt miserable with him and wasn't able to ever leave, all because of the bond the mark would create?

Levy's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. She raised her head to see Ryan entering the room, bringing a fresh jug of water.

"Ryan?" Levy spoke softly. Ryan looked at her eyes, searching for the answer. In that moment, all doubt and fear left Levy. A smile crept onto her lips, as she unconsciously moved her hair behind her, exposing her shoulder, neck, and collarbone. Ryan's eyes showed hope and excitement. "You saved my life, so now it's my turn to save yours." She said with confidence. Ryan's eyes lit up like a child getting presents. Her heart felt warm from the sight. She felt overjoyed at the happiness this choice brought him.

Ryan held Levy gently in his arms, as he kissed her jaw, neck, and collarbone until he found the spot. The spot he would mark her. Levy blushed as she noticed a moan had made its way past her lips, causing heat to form between Ryan and her. Her breathing hitched as pain momentarily flowed through her body, but it instantly faded. Ryan had told her it would bring her pleasure if she was a wolf, but was unsure of how it would be for her as a human. However, she was just relieved that the pain didn't last. She relaxed in his hold as he pulled away to look at her face.

"You're beautiful." Ryan stated, his voice filled with emotion. "Now rest. You won't heal as quickly as a wolf, so I should stop the bleeding." As he spoke, he laid Levy back down carefully, as he reached for a cloth on the side. Levy closed her eyes as the cloth came in contact with her skin, leaving a slight stinging sensation. She felt a pinch in her arm, as drowsiness filled her. Her body went numb, as she fell asleep to the warm contact of Ryan's hands on her skin.

❧ ❦ ☙

Levy opened her eyes, feeling well rested, as she carefully sat up. A small pain shot through her collarbone, but went as quickly as it came. A smile formed on her lips as she saw Ryan asleep on a chair next to the bed, his hand resting on hers. She just sat there staring for a while.

Ryan's head fell to the side slightly, as a low mumble came from him. A smile appeared slowly on his face, as his eyes opened, meeting Levy's.

"I can take a picture for you. It'll last longer." He spoke, his voice rough, as he sat up, stretching his legs out in front and arms up above.

"Heheh. Sorry. You just looked so peaceful." Levy spoke softly.

Ryan looked at her mark, which was now scabbed with dry blood. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine now. The pain's gone." Levy replied. "How are you? Not dead obviously, but it must feel weird now having this connection with me, right?" Levy questioned.

"Yeah, it is strange. But I like it. I won't go in your head without your permission. I promise you that." Ryan spoke.

Levy shook her head. "I appreciate that, but it isn't like I have anything to hide. I have no memories." Levy chuckled, trying to hide her sadness.

"We'll find a way to get your memories back. Just give it some time, alright?" Ryan gave her a sad smile.

Levy looked at Ryan with a sigh. "Hopefully." If it wasn't for Ryan's sensitive hearing, he wouldn't have caught what Levy had said. She looked at him, a fake smile plastered on her face.

"How about we do something?" Ryan suggested.

"Like?" Levy poked.

"I don't know. What would you like to do?"