Run! The Lost Princess of the Black Wolves

Chapter 18 - Right or wrong

Marcus threw them down onto the bed, his hands roaming her body as they kissed feverishly. “Marcus,” she gasped in between the kisses. “Marcus, this is wrong,” she abruptly distanced herself from him, looking at him with brows furrowed.

“I’m sorry,” he groaned, his eyes gleaming with a feverish desire. His wolf was clearly in charge of him, and he rubbed his face, suddenly looking guilty. “I got carried away, I…”

Chloe's emotions were in turmoil. She couldn't believe what had just happened between them. “I don't understand what's going on with you!” she fumed, getting angrier by the second. “You just came back from seeing another woman, and now you're kissing me. What about Juliette?” she added. “Have you thought about her feelings?”

“What? No, but…” Marcus looked confused.

Chloe's heart sank. "I don't care about what kind of open relationship you have," Chloe scoffed, sitting up in bed and hugging herself. "But I won't be a part of this. You need to leave. Now."

“But, Chloe!” he protested. “I…”

"Goodnight, Marcus," Chloe interrupted, her voice firm. She needed him to leave immediately before she changed her mind.

“Don’t be so prude!” her wolf’s voice resounded in her head. “He’s smoking hot! Just look at him! Their relationship status is not our concern.”

“It’s wrong,” Chloe objected. “I’m not doing this.”

“Chloe, listen!” Marcus pleaded, his hands reaching for hers. “I broke up with Julie yesterday,” his blue eyes looked at her sincerely.

“You, what?” she breathed, thinking she must have heard him wrong.

“I broke up with Julie yesterday,” he repeated patiently, holding her hands steadfastly.

“Why?” her voice was barely above a whisper. “To be with that other woman?”

Marcus let out a little laugh. “Oh Chloe, you must be blind…” he chuckled, slowly shaking his head. "There is no other woman. I know you think I'm somewhat of a playboy, but I'm not. Not anymore... not since I met you."

Chloe opened her mouth to respond, but her words caught in her throat as she struggled to process Marcus's words. "I...I don't know what to say," she admitted, her thoughts spinning.

"Tell him to shut up and kiss you," her wolf suggested, unable to contain her excitement.

"Stop it, you're not helping," Chloe replied, trying to ignore her wolf's enthusiasm.

But Marcus's unwavering gaze made it hard for her to think straight. "You don't have to say anything," he smiled, gently stroking a strand of hair away from her face. "Only, I am begging you to give me a chance. Please, Chloe, let me make you happy. Forget about everything you've heard of fated mates, and feel our connection."

Chloe's wolf immediately objected. "But we do have a mate. Marcus might be a very good substitute, but he's still not our mate," she reminded her.

"Can you just shut up!" Chloe silenced her wolf and met Marcus's sincere gaze. What was she going to do? She was madly attracted to him. But could she give him what he wanted?

Marcus took a deep breath and stood up. "When you came here, I was determined to prove to you I was over you. But now, I want to prove to you that I am sincere. Chloe," he suddenly went down on one knee in front of her, pulling out a little box from his suit jacket pocket. "This is why I left earlier."

Chloe's jaw dropped to the floor as she saw the massive diamond ring sparkling and gleaming before her. Was he proposing to her? No, he couldn't be! That would be insane! Besides, they were werewolves, they didn't marry. John and Isabel got married, but it was just because he proposed to her before they realized she was a wolf as well.

“Marcus, what… What are you…” she stammered.

"I know this might come as a shock to you," Marcus smiled knowingly. "And you don't have to tell me now. I realize it's a little too soon for you."

"A little?" Chloe couldn't help but let out a baffled laugh.

"Okay, very too soon, then," Marcus admitted with a shrug. "But I want to show you that I am serious. I love you, Chloe. I want to be with you, to spend the rest of my life with you…” He continued to gaze at her with sincerity, his eyes wide and pleading for her understanding. “I would be the happiest man on earth if you would agree to be my chosen mate, and to marry me."

"Goddess, Marcus," Chloe shook her head with disbelief. "I was so not ready for this. I... It's too much," she bit her lip. "You know I like you, a lot! But things are complicated... And this..." she gestured at the ring. "I can't accept it."

“It’s alright,” a shadow of disappointment passed over his face, but he quickly regained his composure. “I understand. At least, now you know” he said softly. "But I’m not giving up on us. We have something special, Chloe. And I hope one day you will realize it too."

As Chloe watched Marcus put the ring and box back into his pocket, a pang of guilt hit her hard. She didn't want to hurt him… But she couldn’t possibly accept his proposal either.

“Don’t worry, I’ll ask you again,” he gave her a wry smile. “And again,” he took her hand into his, pressing his lips against her knuckles. “And again,” he kissed her wrist, and her heart sped up. Damn, his kisses made her go weak at the knees…

“And again,” he kissed her wrist one more time, his eyes sparkling with mischief, and she couldn’t help but smile. “And again,” he trailed several kisses up her arm, and her breathing hitched, her whole body responding to him. Marcus continued to shower her with kisses, each one sending her pulse racing faster than the last, and she found herself craving his touch.

“You know… Losing your virginity to him wouldn’t be such a bad thing,” her wolf mused.

“But it’s wrong,” Chloe squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head. “He’s too… serious. I don’t want to break his heart.”

Just the mere thought made her panic, and she abruptly stood up, causing Marcus to lose his footing. He looked hurt and confused, and she knew she had to explain herself.

"I need to think," Chloe said, taking a deep breath. "I think you must leave."

“But…” he objected. “I’m sorry, Chloe if I’m rushing things. I just don’t want you to go to the North and…” he stopped, looking embarrassed.

“…and accidentally jump into bed with some Northern dude, that’s what you mean?” she finished his sentence, quirking up a brow.

So that was the reason why he was so eager to put a ring on her finger! He wanted to keep her from meeting someone else, another man to share her bed up in the cold North.

"Well, that's your choice to make,” he said, his voice laced with anguish. "If that's what you want, then..."

"I don't know what I want!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms up in frustration. "I have a screwed fated mate waiting for me somewhere out there that I failed to reject, remember? And you haven't even met yours! She might be your true love. How could you know? What if you meet her tomorrow? That ring won't mean anything if you do."

Marcus arched his brow, looking her straight in the eye. "I'm pretty sure what I want. The question is, what do you want?"

Chloe felt a lump form in her throat. "Well, as I told you, I don't know. You must give me some space to think, Marcus. This is too much, too intense."

"I'm sorry," Marcus' voice cracked with emotion and his gaze dropped to the floor. "I thought you would be happy... I just wanted to prove to you that I'm serious about us. But I see your point. Please..." He reached out and took her hands in his, his grip gentle but desperate. "Can we start over?"

Chloe's heart softened at the sight of him biting his lip, his vulnerability tugging at her heartstrings. "How?" She gave him a sympathetic smile.

Marcus straightened up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Hi, I'm Marcus," he said, shaking her hand and making a little bow. "I'm a sucker for black-haired werewolf chicks who are crazy enough to jump into ice-cold waters and make my heart tremble every day."

Chloe couldn’t help but laugh. “Hi Marcus,” she smiled. “Very cute! But now, I think it’s time for you to go to your room.” She urged him towards the door.

Marcus’ expression changed, his playfulness fading. "But... the nightmares," he murmured, caressing her arm. "I mustn't leave you with your nightmares. I can stay with you like we did last night. No strings attached."

Chloe had to bite her tongue as she felt a pang of nervousness in her stomach. The thought of spending the night alone terrified her…But she couldn't let him stay. Not after what had just happened. She needed to be alone, to think. "Thank you, but I'll manage," she said, pushing him gently towards the door.

"Please, Chloe," Marcus pleaded, running his hand through his auburn hair. "Don't shut me out."

"I'm not," she reassured him with a faint smile. "Oh, maybe I am, physically," she realized as she opened the door. "But just for now, okay? I need to think."

Marcus hovered over her, and she could feel the heat emanating from his body. The top buttons of his shirt were still undone, and she had to fight the urge to reach out and touch him, to feel his chest under her fingertips.

"You know where to find me," he said softly.

Carefully, she withdrew from him. "Goodnight Marcus," she whispered and firmly shut the door in front of his nose. She leaned against the door, hiding her face in her hands, trying to steady her breathing. Goddess, what was she going to do? This was too much to digest.

"Too bad..." her wolf murmured, and Chloe felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. "I thought we were finally getting some action here... You really would need to release some tension."

Closing her eyes, Chloe slid down the door until she was sitting on the ground, listening to Marcus's breathing on the other side.

"Goodnight, Chloe," he finally sighed, and she felt a pang in her chest as she heard his footsteps echoing in the corridor as he left.