"Macy, wake up." Cameron's breath was warm against her skin and she cuddled closer to him, not wanting to break the serenity she felt. He chuckled, smoothing a hand over her head.

"I have to go, sweetheart." He pulled away and gazed lovingly into her sleepy face. Her tired eyes fluttered open and she stiffled a yawn. He smiled, chuckling softly as she gave a shy smile, her eyes still not fully open. She yawned again, rubbing the sand out of her eyes.

"Do you have to?" She asked and he gave her a pained smile.

"I'm afraid so," he kissed her sleepy eyes. "But I'll be back tonight, I promise." She smiled softly, laying her head on his chest. He chuckled, continuing to smooth a hand over her hair.

"Macy, I have to go."

"No." He laughed softly, squeezing his arms around her, kissing her head.

"Everyone will be waiting for me." Macy sighed, her fingers drawing imaginary circles on his arm. She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. His hair was a little disheveled, but it was cute. There was a trace of sleep in his eyes, Macy noticed.

"They can wait a little longer so you can give me a proper goodbye, can't they?" Cameron felt a smirk come across his face at the innocent look in her eyes. He knew it was genuine as his fingers brushed across the nape of her neck.

"I'm sure they can. I mean, I am the Alpha, aren't I?" Macy smiled, her eyes closing as he pressed her lips to his. It was a soft, gentle kiss, igniting a small spark inside of her. Cameron felt it to, for he immidiately acted on it, wrapping an arm around her waist and turning them over. Her fingers pulled on his hair as his lips moved fervently over hers. One of his hands traced the side of her leg while he leaned on his other.

Macy didn't want him to go. She wanted him here when she knew he was safe and where she knew he wanted to be. The kisses slowed, loosing their heat and bringing forth a slower, passionate side. It was making it even harder for them to pull away.

"Please don't go." She whispered against his lips and Cameron's wolf whimpered, begging him that war preparations weren't important right now.

"I'll come see you. For lunch, okay?" She nodded and he kissed her eyes, letting his lips linger. It was the next best thing, but it would have to do. At least she got to see him later. Maybe she would cook him a nice lunch. He'd already done so much for her, and it was time she payed him back. He rested his forehead against her's before pecking her lips and getting up. The sun had yet to rise and she curled herself into where he had just been laying, letting her mind wander before she drifted off to sleep again.

He heard her soft, deep breaths, signifying that she was asleep again and he smiled, leaning against the doorway.

"I love you." The words felt so right and his heart ached, wishing she could have heard them. He closed the door as softly as he could, chuckling at Riley's still sleeping face. His hair was very messed up and his eyes drooped with sleep.

"It should be against the law to get up this early." Cameron grunted his agreement and the friends descended the stairs.

"So, is everything okay with you and Macy?" Riley asked and Cameron nodded.

"Yeah," he grinned. "Yeah we're perfect." Riley smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder, happy to know the two were on good terms. As the leaders made their way outside, it suddenly occurred to Cameron how crucial this day would be.

It was the third day and at sunset, Xavier would be waiting for his answer.

Cameron's hands tightened into fists as be be an calling out orders for preparation. It also occurred to him as the morning progressed, of how serious he would have to be in front of Xavier for him to take Cameron serious. First, Cameron's fighters needed to be ready. Second, Cameron had to be ready himself, to be able to handle any deaths or injuries that might take place. And third, of the fact that Xavier wouldn't take Cameron serious if he hadn't even marked Macy as his mate yet.

He discussed these issues with Riley, needed another opinion on the situation. Riley advised to speak with Macy about the marking situation as soon as possible. That she had as much right to know what how critical the situation was and how Xavier might not take this war very seriously. Cameron knew what he had to do and was running scenario after scenario in his head, thinking of different ways to tell Macy that he had to mark her, before it was too late.

Macy on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. Cameron was expected back in the next hour and she was absoutly lost. Where was the food? Where was the pots and pans and plates? She knew where the cups were, but that's as far as her knowledge went of this huge kitchen.

"Macy, what are you doing?" It was Willa and Macy turned around to see the sisters walk in.

"I wanted to make lunch for Cameron, but I don't know where anything is." She forced a light laugh and the girls shared a look of happiness. Lillian came towards her future Luna.

"We can help. We make dinners all the time," Macy's eyes lit up.

"Really? You'd help me?" Willa laughed and came towards her new friend.

"Well of course!" The girls laughed and set to work. Macy had the idea of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with fresh fruit on the side. Luckily for them, the fridge was stocked full of fresh strawberries, catalope, watermelon, and grapes. Lillian had the idea to feed the entire group of fighters, which ranged from 200 to about 280. So instead of making it a meal for one, it was now a meal for 280 people.

And Macy had never been more happy. She jumped from station to station, cutting fruit, flipping sandwiches. The girls laughed and told stories and shared memories. Macy told them that she had done this before, to make big lunches like this, for Xavier and all his pals. But, she would have to do it by herself with no help at all and if she messed up on anything, the consequences were awful.

"Well were glad you aren't there anymore." Lillian said as she gave Macy a side hug.

"Yeah, I second that." Willa said making Macy smile. Her heart was warm with gratitude as the girls helped her set the dining room table.

"Well the boys should be back any minute." Lillian said with a grin and then they all giggled. The stood in the kitchen, laughing as the door opened and male after male filed in. The last to come in was Riley and Cameron, both looking pretty worn down. When Macy's eyes landed on Cameron, a grin lit up her face. When he looked over to see her beaming with joy, he smiled and he told Riley he'd see him later before making his way towards her.

"What is all this?" He asked and Macy giggled.

"Macy wanted to make you all lunch, for doing such hard work." Lillian said as she bowed her head in respect towards her Alpha. He laughed and looked down at his mate to see her cheeks flushed red, but she was still radiatiting happiness.

"Oh really? Well, it seems I have to par take in this feast." He sent Macy a wink and kissed her head before walking into the dining room.

"You are so damn lucky, Macy." Willa said and the girls laughed.

"I am, aren't I?" She smiled and walked past them to the doorway of the dining room. Most of the food was already gone, but she saw Cameron, eating a sandwich and laughing with Riley. He looked over and spotted his mate, watching as she met his gaze and then rounded the corner. He finished his sandwich as fast as he could before following her into the hallway.

He came towards her and when she saw that he had followed, she grinned. His heart longed for her and as he came closer, he cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her, holding her in place. Macy's fingers curled around his forearm, kissing him back with the same amount of needy passion he had kissed her with.

"I've missed you so much." He whispered huskily against her lips. She grinned and giggled.

"You've only been gone for six hours, Cam." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her nose, smiling down at her.

"I know, but I always miss you when you aren't around." She smiled and stood on her tip toes, pecking his lips in a quick kiss, but he wasn't letting her get away that fast.

One thing Macy knew for a fact that he loved her hair and it showed now, when he let go of her waist and weaved his fingers in her soft dark locks. She didn't mind, of course, she loved it when his fingers was in her hair. He had missed her a lot already and then he remembered something he had to talk to her about, but he knew that could wait for the end. Right now all he wanted was to kiss her.

Macy noted something. He was kissing her harder than ever and she was sure it was only because he would have to leave soon and he wanted to get as much out of this as possible, but there was also something she needed to talk to him about. Her kisses slowed, and he was afraid he had done something wrong. She pulled away and looked up into his eyes, smiling at the far away look in his eyes.

"Cam," his eyes settled on hers. "I want you to mark me before you go." At first, he thought he was dreaming, before the words hit him. He searched her eyes, his hands still holding her head.

"Are you sure?" He couldn't believe she had been thinking if the same thing as he! She nodded.

"Yes. I was meaning to ask you this morning, but I was afraid it was to early," she swallowed and met his gaze. "But I know now that it isn't and I want you to mark me." And then he smiled. He took his hands away and looked down the hall.

"It's going to hurt a lot and I don't want anyone hearing you cry." Her cheeks reddened as he grabbed her hand and lead her down the hall. As soon as he was as far away from the crowd, he opened a door, leading into a laundry room, and closed it before pressing her against the wall and kissing her.

Her hands found his hair as his hands gripped her waist. He was so gentle, that she barley even felt his hands. When she felt the heat of his fingers press on a spot were her neck connected with her shoulder, pleasure filled her veins. She couldn't suppress the soft moan that escaped her lips. He took his lips away from hers and trailed them along her jaw then down her neck, before letting his lips rest upon the spot.

"Cameron." She sighed, her fingers curling into his hair. Her other hand gripped his shoulder as his lips worked steadily over the spot.

"Hold on, sweetheart." His voice was husky in her ear and she was confused by what he meant. That is until his canines elongated and he bit her, officially marking her as his.

She cried out, begging for him to stop because it was all to much. But as soon as he removed his canines, a feeling she had never known took over. Before this feeling would have scared her, but now, all she wanted was Cameron. His lips moved over the spot, easing away the lingering pain. He kissed it, licked it, and basically loved it with all of his body and soul. Macy was breathing hard, from fighting the pleasure and the will to just have him take her right then and there.

When he pulled away, he cupped her cheek with one hand, the other brushing away the tears that had fallen.

"I'm sorry." He whispered and she opened her eyes, gazing at him. Something felt different. Before, she knew she liked him. Before, she knew that she cared about him endlessly and that if he left, she would be broken hearted. Now...now she was sure of what she was feeling. Cameron saw the look in her eyes. Behind the pleasure that lurked there, he could see it as clear as day and it made his wolf howl with joy. She smiled and leaned into his hand, her eyes never straying from his.

"I love you, Cam." She wasn't afraid, for her voice wasn't soft, wasn't quiet. She wasn't embarresed about her feelings for it was all genuine and real. His other hand lifted, cupping her other cheek as he grinned, leaning down and kissing her so passionately, he was surprised he was even able to pull away.

"I love you too, Macy. So much." And he wrapped her up in his arms, squeezing her against his chest and begging to the Moon Goddess to never let her be taken away ever again. They stood in that laundry room for what felt like forever, leaving the fighters to wait for their leader, wondering where in earth he had gone. Lillian and Willa knew and they shared a wink, laughing at the confused and bewildered expressions that came across their faces when Cameron and Macy finally decided to come out.

Cameron held her hand tightly as they stood before the fighters. A sly, lazy smile came across his face and his fighters lit up.

"I marked her." His fighters cheered and jeered, picking up their leader on their shoulders and carting him away. Everyone was laughing and Lillian and Willa went up to Macy, giggling like little school girls as they looked at her mark.

"I'll see you tonight, Macy!" She heard Cameron call back and she grinned, waving at him. When they heard the door close, they laughed and walked back to the kitchen. Macy was radiating happiness and joy. They surveyed the dining room as they laughed.

"Looks like we've got work to do." Willa said, winking at Macy before they set to work.

Follow your heart, no matter how far it takes you