"I can kind of cook, I mean waffles are pretty easy to make," I tell Darian.

He nods, "It's really good," he smiles, taking another bite. He looked a little on ease, but there's many reasons as to why he would be. He marked me without being his mate and we are being hunted down by a crazy killer.

Once I finished eating I stand up and take my plate to the sink, washing it. "I'm going to go outside for a little bit," I tell Darian. He nods, scrolling through his phone. He understood that I wouldn't go far, if two feet away.

I open the front door and breathe in the fresh forest air, it smelt wonderful. Living in town always sucked because it just smelt bad. But here, it smells like freedom.

I take a few steps out, only feet away from the surrounding forest. My wolf wanted to go on a run, but I couldn't let her. She might run back to Ace or go too far. I felt bad, but I was trying to protect myself here.

I nervously bit at my nail as I looked around. My heart raced and I froze.

"Why hello there my little mate." I spin around and see my worst nightmare, leaning against a tree. I backed up slowly, but he stopped me, "Not another fucking step," he growls.

I stand there, paralyzed in fear as he starts walking towards. I feel his finger run down my cheek as he now stands in front of me. He crouched a bit to look into my eyes, "Oh Lillian, if only you knew," he says. I glare at him, not knowing what he meant one bit. "If only you knew that being marked by Darian could kill you. The Moon Goddess doesn't like it when you ruins her plans," he smirks, petting my hair.

"W-wha, w-," I stutter, not being able to finish my sentence. I felt like I was about to have a panic attack.

Ace takes another step close and wraps his arms around me, tightly. "If that mark doesn't get removed in a weeks time, you're going to be in a hell of a lot of pain. Pain that Darian can't help you with," he says into my hair.

I feel my knees buckle. I haven't heard of that before, but I didn't know much about mates. We were suppose to learn that in school this week, but... I'm in a bit of a predicament.

I feel Ace pull away, "See you in a week, doll," I could feel him smile as he walked away, probably thinking he won.

I looked at his back, "I'd rather die than go back with you," I snarl, having sudden confidence. My natural inhibition to protect myself was working.

He stopped and turned back to me, a serious look on his face. "If you try and kill yourself like last time, I'll make it so you would wish you'd die. But of course, I can let that happen," he finishes, leaving me frozen in fear.

I fall onto the ground, bringing my legs up to my chest. My breathing picks up as I hear the front door open. I hear Darian run over to me. "Lillian!" he shouts, picking me up.

"I saw him," I whisper, tears falling down my cheek. Darian wipes my tears away, nodding. We both knew he would find us, just not this soon.

I feel myself being lifted off the forest ground. Darian brings me inside the cabin, setting me down on our bed. He lays next to me and pulls the blanket over us, "I'm sorry Lillian," he whispers into my shoulder, kissing it lightly.

"H-he said th-that in week, I-I'm going to be in a-a lot of pain,"I stutter, sobbing. Honestly, if you were in position and not crying, there's something wrong with you. There's so much pressure on me, I'm falling apart. Bit by bit.

Darian tightens his grip on me, "I'll never let you go, I marked you for a reason," he says, a slight bit of sadness in his voice. I had a feeling we both knew it was over, but all we could do was try.

I don't reply, leaving us in a silence filled our thoughts. I felt safe with Darian, but at the same time, I felt like dying. I hope Ace was bluffing about the pain. Even if not, I wasn't planning on going back to him. I just don't get it, he knew I would kill myself, so why is he doing this? Why didn't he just take then and there outside...?

~•~

A week later I wake up, feeling a bit sick, but nothing I couldn't handle. I get off my bed, Darian still sleeping soundly. I was planning to make him breakfast.

Darian has been extremely sweet to me for the last week. He treats me like a princess, like how a real mate would act.

I get out a bagel and stick it in the toaster. My nails tap against the small countertop as I wait for the bagel to cook.

I feel my stomach tingle, like cramps, but it suddenly got worse. I bite my lip, sitting myself down on the cold, tile floor. My vision got hazy as I zoned out from reality.

Ace was right, but I wasn't going down without a fight, I think as I close my eyes, passing out on the kitchen floor.