Grace POV:

I woke up with a strong urge to pee. I made a move to get out of bed but I was being held down by a heavy arm. Arsen's heavy arm. I wiggled and tried to get out of his hold but he only groaned and tightened his arm.

"Arsen." I said slapping his arm

He didn't reply.

"Arsen." I whined slapping his arm harder.

He still didn't reply.

"Arsen!" I screamed in his ear.

He bolted up and began looking around frantically. I laid on the bed laughing so hard, holding my stomach. "You-your face." I said laughing while pointing at his face.

"You got s-so scared." I said laughing at him even more.

He scowled at me, but a smirk came onto his face. He inched closer to me and grabbed me. He began to relentlessly tickle me, while I laid under him squirming.

"S-stop I'm gonna pee on t-the bed." I said gasping for breath while trying to push his arms away.

I was able to get out of his hold and run towards the bathroom, locking it before he could come after me.

I did my business and brushed my teeth before walking out. As soon as I stepped foot outside Arsen's large hands grabbed me and pulled to him.

He smelled like mint. He probably used the other bathroom and brushed his teeth.

His hair was his usual messy, and he was still shirtless.

I looked up at him to find his intense stare focused solely on me.

Before I could utter a word Arsen's lips were on mine.

Our lips moved in perfect sync as sparks of electricity flew through me. I found myself getting lost in the kiss as I pulled Arsen's head down lower, gently pulling on the nape of his neck. He let out a small groan which left me all hot and bothered. Arsen gripped my waist tighter as I pushed my mouth harder against his. I didn't feel us moving until I suddenly ended up on the couch with Arsen on top of me.

My hands roam underneath his shirt, feeling his toned body. I let out a small moan when Arsen's lips move down to my neck. His teeth graze the place where my mark is supposed to be laid.

"Grace." Arsen said pulling back, looking breathless.

"Let me mark you." He said looking into my eyes.

I nodded my head at a loss for words. "Mark me, Arsen." Is all I said before his teeth sunk into my neck.

I felt a searing pain for a split second before pleasure took over my body.

Arsen removed his teeth from my neck and pulled back.

I looked up at him dazedly smiling and he smiled back looking content at his mark. I suddenly felt like all my energy was drained out of me as I gave into the dark slumber awaiting me.

-*-*-*-*-*

I woke up on an empty bed feeling well rested.

I was now marked.

I smiled happily not believing that I would have ever allowed this to happen.

Getting up, I quickly showered. I wrapped a towel around my body and looked at the mirror. There, on the side of my neck, where my neck met my shoulder lay my mark. A wolf under a full moon was on my neck, and right next to it were the initials, A.H.

I smiled and walked into the room. I looked into the closet to find that all my clothes had been moved into Arsen's closet.

Sneaky wolf.

I smiled and grabbed a pair of black skinny jeans. I paired it with a white sweater and a pair of brown, small heeled booties.

I combed out my hair and looked at myself once more in the mirror before walking out of the room.

It was 11:15 a.m, so I had been sleeping for about 2 hours.

Walking into the kitchen, I saw 5 pairs of eyes turn towards me.

Macy, Matthew, Nick, Sarah, and Arsen all sat around the kitchen counter talking.

Arsen smiled when he saw me, and ushered me over to his seat.

"Morning guys." I said greeting everyone before walking over to where Arsen sat.

I was about to take a seat on the chair next to Arsen's but he pulled me onto his lap.

I grabbed the a yogurt that sat on the counter and opened it up. I was famished. I began eating and noticed everyone staring at me.

I looked up and stared at everyone questionably.

Macy then broke the silence, "So Grace, anything new?"

I shook my head confused and Arsen chuckled beside me.

"Allow us to help you out here then." Nick said before pointing to the mark.

Everyone began laughing as I turned red. I hid my face in Arsen's chest who was also laughing.

I looked up embarrassed but everyone just had big smiles on their faces. I assumed Sarah and Nick were doing well since she looked much healthier and happier, and so did Macy.

"We will have a girls day later tonight." Macy said pointedly towards Sarah and I.

"She's mine for the day though." Arsen said before pulling me out of the chair and out of the kitchen.

He pulled me outside and towards the woods. "Where are we going?" I asked intertwining our fingers.

"You'll see." He said vaguely, pulling me further into the woods.

We soon came across a beautiful clearing. Rocks surrounded the area, where a small lake sat in front of it. "It's so beautiful." I said breathlessly.

"I like to come here when I want to think." Arsen said sitting down on a rock, patting the seat next to him.

I took a seat and looked out towards the lake. We sat in a comfortable silence before Arsen broke it. "My dad used to bring me here. We just sat here for hours, talking and playing." He said looking out towards the lake.

I looked towards him and grabbed his hand. "I still like to come here. It's as if he never left. Like he's right here with me." Arsen said smiling.

"Arsen? What happened that day? The day he died." I asked quietly.

Arsen took in a deep breath before replying. "I was sitting around with the guys when I got a pack link from one of the guys patrolling. He was frantic and asked me to immediately come. I quickly walked there and when I got there I nearly had a heart attack. There lay my dad, torn and beaten, covered in blood. I ran towards him and was able to get his last words." Arsen said brokenly.

"You know what he said to me? His last words were, 'I'm sorry I wasn't able to fight back. I love you, Arsen. Remember that.' He wasn't even able to say the next thing because he died. Right there in my arms."

I sat there quietly, wrapping my arms around Arsen. "After that I was so angry. Angry at everyone. Everything. I then got a call from Alpha Sean. He wanted to pay his condolences. He's the one that told me that told me that it was your pack. He said he spotted someone from your pack running from our territory back to yours. And me, being so angry and out for blood did the first thing that came to mind. I attacked your pack that day not taking in the details. I didn't even think to look into it, I was just out for blood." Arsen said looking at me, tears shining in his eyes.

"Grace I'm so sorry. I know how hard it must be for you. And I understand if you hate me. I know your pack is innocent. But at the time, I didn't. I was young and foolish. I believed whatever anyone said. I'm sorry." Arsen said squeezing my hands.

At this point I was full on crying. I buried my face into Arsen's chest and let it out. I let out all the pain and grief for an innocent pack gone. I let it all come out, in the arms of my mate. I didn't hate Arsen. I was incapable of hating him. He was tricked and fooled. The past was the past and there was nothing to do about it.

"I don't hate you. I could never. I forgive you Arsen. I just want to let it all go. I don't want to think about it anymore. I just want to be with you, not thinking about about our past in a negative way. I said holding his face in my hands.

He nodded his head and pressed his lips to mine. We kissed for a brief second before pulling back.

"A new start." He said.

"A new start." I said repeating him.

For the time being, we both sat, feeling lighter than ever, happy in each other's company.

-*-*-*-*-*

It's been a great week so far. I'm making the best of what's left of summer and I hope you are too! Today however it was a rainy day here so I stayed in. Which means writing!

The book is coming close to an end and I'm thinking it's going be around 30 chapters long!!!

This is my first book and it's very exciting knowing that I am close to finishing it!

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