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Sometimes we run away from things, and sometimes we run towards them. It doesn't matter which way we're running though because the past will always catch up to us."
-MC
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"Wakey wakey, lover girl."

Kiara wiggles her nose as she feels something tickling it. Khal laughs at her actions and she groans in response.

"Stop it."

"Oh come on, you sleep like a log."

"She really doesn't, she sleeps more like a tree in a hurricane, yeah that's more like it.
Limbs everywhere."

Kiara rises like she'd been shocked at the sound of his voice and Marquése greets her with a warm smile on his face as soon as their eyes lock.

"Good morning Kitty"

"Good morning. You're up."

"That I am."

"And chirpy too. I see."

"I don't do chirpy kitty, you of all people, everyone really, should know that."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say."

Khal's eyes were switching, looking between the two bickering mates and following the conversation in its entirety.

When they were done when he butted in.

"So since that's over, let's get to work?"

Both mates look between themselves, just now remembering what took place last night and what today meant.

It was time

"Um ok..."

"Nope, were not ready 'cause Kiara's having cold feet."

"Really Marq?"

"Marq? When did that happen?"
Khal pitches in and Marquése smirks lightly.

"Last night."

"Ooo tell me more."

"No he will not."

Kiara glowered at him, warning him not to say anything but then every time she looks at Marquése's face, she's reminded of the fact that warms her heart even when she doesn't want it to.

"I'm not having cold feet Marquése."

"What if.. what if I was?"

The whole room goes silent for a while and they all stare at Marquése. No one said anything until Hailey stepped through the door.

"Good morning."

Khal thinks fast pulling out a brown parcel that he had and presents it to the group.

"Before we go I think we need this."

"What is that?" Kiara asks

"I got it yesterday from the pack healer, it's an oil of some kind. I told her I wanted something so I could sneak up on Hailey; to surprise her. She gave me this, said i should be careful with it and that it would mask my scent for a few hours."

"Wow, that's great thinking Khal."

"I try."

The group all get a little of the liquid rubbing it onto their skins and Kiara hums to herself."

"Huh, I don't feel any different."

"Well I can't smell you now so I guess it's working."

"I still can." Marquése states

"Oh, well I can't smell you, maybe it doesn't work on you the way it works on us. Plus that wouldn't be a first you know, you're different."

That statement causes a reaction in Marquése's mind.
He didn't expect that.

"So you're just going to ignore what I said now?"

The question was directed at Kiara and she sighs answering him

"What exactly are you saying Marquése?"

"I don't know. I just-"

"We have to do this together, you know that. It doesn't make sense that I do it without you now."

"As you said I'm different, maybe this life isn't for me."

"I said you're different but I don't care about all that. I still want you, you know that. I need you to be here with me because you're my mate, my king, and your kingdom needs you as much as I do."

"Ok."

"Ok?"

"Yes, you're right. I'm going with you, I have to, because you're my mate."

He walks up to her and captures her chin between his finger, tilting her head up to him. He kisses her lips lightly and she closes her eyes momentarily and everyone else in the room stares at them in absolute awe.

He pulls back smiling at her before shouting,

"Ok let's do this!"
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They were all walking around the edge of the territory, bags on their backs, trying to stay out of view. No one was out this time of day it seems and they were in luck.

The main pack house came into view and they all crept up behind it, staying in the foliage of the land.

"Ok. So I'll stay here and watch if anyone comes. If they make a move to go inside I'll signal you guys and then I'll try to distract them ok."

"Ok Khal, Marquése, you and I will be behind and Hailey will lead the way. Keep on guard guys."

"Ok do this."

Khal looks around for anyone and seeing as they now had a clear path he gives the orders.

"The coast is clear. Run!"

The three of them now take off, sprinting towards the pack house. They get to the back entrance of the house in less than a minute and enter through it.

"Ok you're up Hailey."

Hailey nods her head taking the lead and looking out for anyone in their paths.
She leads them to the second level of the house without hindrance and they move to Kiara's room.

"That's odd I thought we'd at least see someone h-"

"Wow there."

Someone comes around the corner, colliding with her.

Marquése and Kiara quickly hide, immediately dodging behind some columns.

Looks like she spoke too soon

"Hailey?"

"Oh, Theo I'm sorry I didn't see you there."

"Oh that's fine. Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm great, uh, can you show me the way to the library?"

"Uh, you don't know the way?"

"I can't tell the last time I've been down there. You know silly me, always loosing my way."

"Yeah. I'd be happy to."

Hailey had successfully distracted their obstacle and now it was just up to Marquése and Kiara alone to go the rest of the way

"I don't see anyone here. Let's go, slowly."

They both emerge from their hiding places and quickly creep the rest of the way to her room. As soon as they get to her room door she yanks it open and both of them rush inside.

The pair lean their backs on the cool wood of the closed door, finally being able to sigh in sweet relief.

"We did it."

"We did."

"Omg, we really did. Wow this pack's security really needs to be upgraded. That's the first thing I'm gonna fix when I'm alpha."

"When you're alpha?"
Kiara turns towards her mate looking deeply into his eyes

"Uh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

"Oh no that's fine. I actually love hearing you say it. The sound of it is- well it just sounds right to me."

Marquése smiles down at her, raising his hand to brush his fingers against her cheeks lightly.

"If I get you as my Luna, then I like the sound of it too."

"Are you still gonna tie me up like before, I mean I wouldn't mind but I don't think it would send the right message."

Kiara giggles softly and Marquése joins in wrapping his hands around her waist.

"You little minx. I didn't know you liked that."

She pulls away from his embrace slightly, seeing the lusty look in his eyes.

"Ok I think it's time that I go now. You are looking at me with those eyes and I have to go find my parents and talk to them before you start something you can't finish."

Oh really now I can't?"

"Marq, I'll see you later."

"Ok later baby."

"Haha, you just stay here and try not to make noise, wouldn't want the guards catching you now would we."

"No we wouldn't."

She goes closer, back into his arms and tips on her toes, kissing him quickly.

"I'll be back soon."

Kiara walks out the room, shutting the door behind her softly.
Little did he know that it was the last time he'd see his mate in a long time.