-:Cecelia's PoV:-

I opened my eyes feeling extremely sore and groggy. My eyelids felt heavy despite the fact that I'd just woken up. The lights were too bright so I just winced and turned over. I heard the sound of footsteps and then a button being switched off. Judging by the scent the room was mine and with me right then was Ashton.

Ashton.

Fuck.

My hand flew to my neck and my eyes snapped open. Intense sparks tingled over the healed wound making me shiver. The wound that would leave a permanent scar.

Ashton's mark on me.

Serafine yipped happily, talking incoherently. That wolf was drunk. Or high. Or both.

"I'm sorry about that," I heard him mumble. I turned to him and let out a gasp.

"What happened to you?" I asked, bewildered.

"I fell," he dismissed.

"Yeah, I know. The question is, whose fist did you fall into?"

"Julian and your brother's," he grumbled. "Don't worry, I deserved it."

I gaped. The boy had a black eye and at his temple there was dried blood.

"I'm sorry," he repeated.

Oh, right. That.

"Never mind," I sighed. It was bound to happen soon. I just wished that it had happened on our terms than happen as a product of an impulsive decision of Xavier's. At least our wolves wouldn't bug us for a while. And if that black eye was anything to go by, he'd obviously paid the price. I made a mental note to thank Julian and Aaron when I saw them next.

Staying mad at Ashton and throwing a tantrum was not going to reverse the mark. Not to mention, the after-effects of the mark included a strengthened mate bond and my inability to be cross with him for at least a few hours. My body was flooded with oxytocin. There was nothing I could do about it.

"What?" He asked, his eyebrows scrunched up adorably. I chuckled.

"I said, never mind," I told him. His expression morphed into one of relief. I laughed. He had expected me to give him quite a lot of crap, hadn't he?

"I'm forgiven?" He asked incredulously.

"Sort of," I shrugged. "I'm kind of incapable of being mad at you at the moment," I told him sweetly. "A mate's mark does that to you. Don't worry, give me a few hours, I'll deliver when it wears off. I'm almost a hundred percent sure."

"Don't bother," he said quickly. "This is just fine."

We laughed in sync.

"Why am I in my bed like an incapacitated person?" I asked him. "Last I remember we were still in the forest."

"Umm, yeah, you sort of passed out when I marked you," he filled me in.

"What? Damn, that would explain why I don't remember the feeling of being marked," I remarked sadly. I hated that I didn't remember the feeling of being marked. They used to say it was one of the most beautiful feelings. The best. Unforgettable. And here I didn't even remember it to be (un)able to forget it.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied quietly.

"What's wrong?" He pressed.

"I don't remember how it felt to be marked. I passed out before that," I admitted. He hugged me. When he brushed a hand across my cheek gently, it felt wet and I realized that I was crying. I buried my head into his chest, forcing my eyes to stop watering.

It's not worth crying about. Stop crying. You don't cry, Cecelia.

I pulled away when I was sure I wasn't crying anymore.

"I'm fine," I said before he could ask.

"You don't have to be. I'm sorry," he whispered.

"I will be fine," I sniffled. "It's not your fault. Where are the others?" I changed the topic.

"Planning."

"That reminds me," I narrowed my eyes at him. "Did you know?"

"Know what?" He asked, playing dumb.

"Ashton." I deadpanned.

"Yeah?" He gritted out.

"Did Julian?"

"Ask him, please."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I questioned.

"We knew you'd do something stupid."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"Like the stunt you pulled off today," he said.

"Stunt?" I scoffed. "It's called a well-executed plan, you moron. A plan where everyone came out unscathed and safe."

"That plan almost ended up with you in their clutches!" He raised his voice.

"But it did not," I reiterated.

"But it almost did!" He yelled. "I almost lost you, Cecelia!"

I pursed my lips, trying not to let the guilt sink in.

"I hadn't even marked you then! How were we supposed to get you back had you been taken? Did you even think of what might've happened if the plan had failed? Did you think of what would happen if you had been captured? Did you, even once, think about what would happen to me if it would have gone south?!"

Too late. I was plagued by guilt.

"I'm sorry, Ashton. All I could think-"

"Sorry?" He repeated disbelievingly, cutting me off with a huff. "You think 'sorry' covers it?! And then that little antic where you had people hold back me and Xavier. That was fucking low, Cecelia."

I winced.

"I'm really sorry," I apologized remorsefully. "I'm used to not having to worry about a mate. I'm new to all this."

"You think I'm not?" He asked. "That mark on your neck is a testimony that I am too. But you could've died, Cecelia. Died. Or worse, been imprisoned in their cult. Who knows what they might've-" he choked on his owned words.

Fuck. I messed up big time, didn't I?

I walked up to where he was standing near my balcony. I stood up on my toes since he was too tall and wrapped my hands around his neck, crushing him to me. I tried to convey all my emotions in that hug. My guilt, my apology, my remorse, my regret, and most importantly my love.

My love.

I was scared to think about that, so I decided to say something to distract myself.

"I'm really sorry, Ash. I swear I am."

He hugged me back just as fiercely as I was hugging him. He inhaled my scent to calm himself down.

"I know. Me too." He finally sighed. "I shouldn't have exploded on you like that."

"I deserved it," I quoted him from minutes ago. I felt him smiled against my head and that made me smile too. "We're idiots."

"We are," he agreed with a chuckle. I pulled back just a little to see his face. I traced his bruises lightly.

"They look like they hurt," I frowned.

"They're not that bad," he said.

"Did you ice them?"

He didn't reply.

"Did you?"

"No."

"Why?" I asked. "I know we're Werewolves but seriously, ice will help."

"They didn't let me near the fridge," he muttered. "They wanted me to think about what I'd done."

"Julian and Aaron?" I guessed with an uncontrollable laugh. That sounded like something they'd do.

"Yeah."

The knock on my door diverted our attention.

"Come in," Ashton called. I reluctantly pulled away from his embrace. "What are you doing?" He protested.

"The doors are soundproof," I told him. "They won't hear you outside."

As if to prove me right, the person outside banged at the door again. Ash nodded in understanding. I quickly went over and pulled the door open.

"There you are!" Julian exclaimed, inviting himself in. "And here I thought that you guys were having a quickie in here."

I flushed.

"Julian!" I reprimanded.

"But you're fully dressed and your scent hasn't changed much so I'll say you haven't," he continued his musing.

"Julian Gavin Curtis!" I screamed. "Shut the fuck up!"

He chuckled.

"Tit for tat, Lia," he teased.

"I still regret nothing if that's what you're aiming for," I said with a shrug.

"Good thing I have more of them up my sleeve then, isn't it?" He winked. I groaned.

"Yeah. Terrific." I said vacantly. That made him cackle like a witch on one of her good days. I pitied Liana sometimes. Speaking of.

"Did you talk to Liana recently?" I asked him.

"Yeah, we were just talking," he said. "She flipped when she heard of the 'attack'. Cried and panicked and shit. Talk to her and pacify her when you can, please. I love her, but her distress was a little too overwhelming."

"Umm sure," I agreed. Talk we would. About quite a lot, too. She needed to put on her big girl panties and do it soon. "Meanwhile, how's Tasha?" I asked them both.

"Fine. Recovering in the Medical Wing." Ashton answered.

"Good to know." I nodded.

I plopped down on my bed. Then I remembered how Julian kept information from me.

"Hey Jules, come on here," I smiled sickly sweetly. He was inobservant because he didn't notice the change and an obvious red flag in my behavior right away. Or at all. He sat down next to me happily. Ashton watched us with a knowing smile. He was onto me.

I shook my head slightly. Turning back to Julian, I quickly reached over and grabbed Julian's ear, twisting it violently. He jumped with a yelp. I released him and his hands were quick to soothe that area. Ashton chuckled.

"What was that for?!" Julian cried.

"For lying to me," I stated.

"What th- did you hit Ashton too?"

"Of course not. Don't be silly."

"Lia!"

I shrugged.

"You're fun to torment," I said. "Plus, you hit Ash."

"I hate you," he quibbled.

"I love you, too," I laughed, poking his side sharply. He leaned away from my reach. I pouted. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Get away from me, you madwoman," he shooed me away when I tried to hit him again. He quickly walked over and stood beside Ashton.

"Coward," I teased. He stuck his tongue out childishly. I looked at Ashton and we chuckled together. He seemed to be visibly in pain. His face wasn't lighting up like it usually would every time he would laugh or smile.

"Let's get you some ice," I got up and took his hand in mine.

"What? No! Let him suffer." Julian grinned. Ashton looked sheepish while I glared at Jules.

"Ice. Now."

"Fine," they muttered.

"That's what I thought." I said, "And don't think you're off the hook. Either of you. You are telling me everything you know, got it?" My tone was firm and sharp.

"Yes, ma'am," Julian gave me a mock salute.

"Cut it out," I hit the back of his head.

Nitwit.

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A/N:-

Hii. It's a short update but I had quite a lot to do. Did you guys like the chapter? Comment! I read all of your comments and lemme just say they're the highlight of my day. I love knowing how my writing makes you feel. Please, don't be shy, and do comment!

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