Jase's POV

Zael and I rush past Mark in the hall way on our way to Belle's room to lay her down.

He looks a little shocked, and stands there for a moment before chasing after us.

"What's wrong?" He demands as we reach her room.

Zael opens the door for me and I rush in, setting her down gently on the bed, and pull the covers up over her shoulders.

"You should know." Zael growls, shoving Mark out of Annabelle's doorway. "YOU did this to her."

"Keep your hands off of me." He snarls back, but Zael doesn't move from his post at her door.

I go to the bathroom to get a cold washcloth and I lay it down on her forehead.

She stays perfectly still, like a doll. She was out like a light as soon as I took her in my arms.

"You put her into shock you idiot!" Zael yells, shoving him back again. "What in the HELL possessed you to touch her! Neither of you accepted the other yet, and now her wolf could shut down all together, leaving her in a coma!"

I freeze and swallow. He didn't mention that part earlier.

Mark doesn't shove him back, but instead looks like he might trow up. "W-what?"

"You mean to tell me, that you call yourself an alpha but didn't know about this?"

Mark still looks shocked, and kind of slumps a little. He isn't as tough as he portrays himself to be.

"I- I don't... I didn't- I didn't know..."

He looks like he might cry.

"Zael." I say, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Let him see her. It might help. As much as it kills me to say it, it might wake her wolf."

Zael seems to listen to me, and takes a a step back. "Fine, but don't touch her. It will only make it worse."

Mark drags himself in past us, and kneels at the side of the bed. He watches her for a moment, then let's his head fall into his hands. "I'm so sorry... God knows I am.."

Her breathing is deep and steady, like she's just sleeping with a horse tranquilizer. I go to tell Brax and Alaric, and to call the pack doctor.

When the doctor is done, Mark still hasn't left her side, and I brought him a chair, though Brax and Zael don't think he deserves it. And maybe he doesn't, but he might be there for a while.

We all huddle outside of her room to listen to the doctor's evaluation of her condition.

The doctor is an older woman, mid 60's, very short but still hardy looking. Her grey hair is pulled up in a bun, whisps of it sticking out. She has kind grey eyes and as she speaks, she wraps a stethoscope around her hand and puts it back into her brown leather bag.

"Well, you were right mister Zael," She says. "It's the shock."

"Is she going to be alright?" Alaric looks guilty, as if it was his fault. In a way, it is. He forced Mark on her.

"She should be alright. She pushed herself to exhaustion, then fought several people judging by the bruising and scraping to her knuckles. She and her wolf didn't know how to handle the situation of her mate in the same house. Give her a few days to recover, and then she'll wake up. She's strong, just like you Al."

He lowers his head and clenches his fists, but nods and hugs her. "Thank you, Lumaria."

When she leaves, he sinks to his knees and stares into his daughters bed room, a tear rolling silently down his cheek. "It's my fault, isn't it?"

Zael and I keep our distance, and stay quiet. This isn't our place to speak.

"It is." Braxton says, leaning against the wall across from Belle's open door. He isn't doing any sugar coating.

"I'm such a fool..."

Can't argue with that.

Braxton is quiet for a beat before answering. "You did what you saw fit for the pack. But you ignored her. You didn't listen to her. She doesn't want this. None of us want it for her either. We want what she wants, and it should be the same type of thinking for you."

Alaric looks helpless as he gazes into his only daughters room. "Things are going to change. They are going to change right now. Tonight."

Annabelle's POV

I wake up terribly sore, enough to make me not want to move at all, so I keep my eyes closed.

My wolf stirs, letting me know that she is also awake.

I feel someone beside me, and I know the scent more then any other.

I open my eyes and look over at the side of my bed were Mark sits on a chair, his arms and head on the edge of my bed, laying on my purple comforter.

I realize how gentle he looks when he is asleep, kind of like a puppy. He's very handsome when he isn't being an ass hole.

As if hearing my thoughts, he moans softly before opening his eyes and looking up at me.

"I-I'm sorry!" I don't expect this of him, and I try to sit up, regretting it.

I gasp and wince, but continue to sit anyway. "How long have I been asleep?"

He looks like he's going to help me, but stops half way and leans back instead.

It take me a moment to recall the night I passed out, and what Zael had said.

It was his fault.

"Only two days."

Oh great, sounds like I was on a vacation.

"Two days. Good, then I haven't missed to much. You look like shit." I add, taking in his appearance. He's unshaven and has circles under his eyes the color of a bruise.

"I havent left this room since you went out. And I wouldn't say that." He says, running his fingers through his hair.

I look at him, tilting my head, almost charmed. "What do you mean?"

He averts my eyes when I sit up, and I look down at my reveiling camisole, blushing a little and pull the covors back around to cover my chest.

"Uh, well, I sent my pack home after a talk with your father."

I tilt my head, eyebrows furrowed, and wait for him to continue.

"That when you woke up and I felt I could, I would leave too. It isn't right for me to be forced on you, and I haven't been the kindest person to you. I will leave to give you time to think about... Us. I'm leaving the desion with you."

I sit quietly for a moment, taking this in. Well, I could use some space.

"That way," He adds quietly, bunching my comforter up in his fists. "I can't hurt you anymore."

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Okay, long chapter, I know! So now you know about the whole plan thingy I brainstormed up for you guys! Boo yah! I'm in a pretty great mood today!

~ A.