Chapter 24 ~ Reunited
Giulia and Rex had left to grab some food and to give them some privacy.
“Shh, calm down, my baby,” Marco cooed, trying to soothe her. However, soon she heard choked sobs coming out from him.
“What a mess we are.” She rasped out, running a hand over her cheeks to wipe away the fallen tears.
“We know that if you cry, I cry too!” He had managed to say between sobs.
With a hysterical laugh, Elena hugged him tightly, settling in the hollow of his shoulder. “I have missed you so much!” She sighed.
“I can’t say the same, sorry El! I have slept the entire time.”
She chuckled, kissing him on the cheek and remaining like that for a few more minutes.
“So…” She began, staring at him.
“Will you tell me what happened between you and Crucifero or will I have to pull it out from you with pliers?” She threatened him jokingly.
Marco’s face was heavy with what seemed regret and doubt, but he nodded at her.
“Well I-” He swallowed hard, avoiding her eyes.
“I rejected him…”
“What?!” She blurted out in shock. “Are you out of your mind?!”
She slipped from his hug and shot him a stern look.
At least, one could finally explain Crucifero’s craziness. The big guy had practically stopped living since Marco was in a coma. It was as if he had paused his existence because he didn’t want to live it without his mate.
And the first thing Marco had done when he woke up was to reject him.
Her friend needed a dose of Elena! And as soon as possible!
With a painful sigh, Marco covered his face with one hand, and Elena’s heart skipped a beat in noticing the other hand… that wasn’t there anymore.
“Marco...” She trailed off, removing the hand from his face.
“Is it because you lost your hand… isn’t it?”
Why haven’t I connected the dots before?! She thought, face palming herself.
“I’m broken El. He doesn’t deserve to stay with a piece of meat like me, he can find a better mate and-”
“Oh, shut up!” She couldn’t stand this side of him, all these insecurities. It wasn’t him.
“There’s no one better than you. You are Marco, the king and queen combined in one person, remember?” She joked, cupping his cheeks.
“He is made for you and you for him, it will not be a lost hand to separate you two!”
Marco had to react to this new situation and learn how to live with it. Elena wouldn’t have let him ruin his own happiness.
“I won’t be able to run anymore in my wolf, El” He cried out, sniffing.
What?!
She placed her head in her hands before dragging them down her face, groaning in frustration.
“Yes, you will be! Your wolf won’t be affected by that, you are a beta blood, for Christ sake!”
“Will I?” He blinked a couple of times as hope filled his eyes.
She scoffed, nodding her head.
“Yes, you silly wolf. Alpha’s and Beta’s blood are stronger, especially yours, coming from generations of pure Betas.” She declared with seriousness and conviction.
“And Marco, I know it’s insane to wake without a hand. I can’t even imagine how horrible it must be but, you are ALIVE. And you have the chance to live your life at full!! Think about it! How cool it is to continue to annoy Rex, to sleep in Giulia’s room and to chat under the stars for hours! As we used to do!” She paused for a second to grab his hand in hers.
“Plus, don’t forget everything you won’t miss! Giulia’s wedding, I who become a grumpy old woman, the face of Rex’s future mate when she finds out that Rex made out with all her friends before meeting her.” They both laughed at that.
“And Marco, most importantly, the life with your mate! Everything you will do together! And don’t forget all the babies you two will adopt!!” In the last part of the sentence Marco had blushed like a teenager.
She rubbed her hands up and down his arms before she slid one down and interlaced his finger with hers.
“He will never forgive me, El” He shut his eyes in pain, pursing his lips in a thin line.
“I’m pretty sure that rejections can be reverted somehow, if both of you want that-” Elena’s affirmation was interrupted.
“He didn’t accept my rejection…” He whispered as he looked away embarrassed.
“He didn’t!! Yesss!” Elena jumped with her fist in the air in exultation, while Marco peeped in pain.
“Ops sorry!” She bit her lip. Elena had forgotten for a moment that her friend was still not fully healed.
“Now that I know he has refused your rejection, I like him more! Although he tried to kill me… just one hour ago” She chuckled
“What?! Oh my god” He winced.
“Rexi and Giu have mentioned he was a bit angry…” Marco lowered his eyes.
A chuckle left Elena’s lips. ‘Angry? More like killing rampage!’
“It’s all my fault. He doesn’t deserve a cry baby like me…” He started again with the self-flagellation.
“If you don’t shut up, I will shave your hair when your sleep!” She warned him, eyeing his precious hair. He gasped, frowning.
“You won’t dare, witch.” He replied with a challenging stare and a glint of cheerfulness. “That’s the Marco I love!” She shouted, again hugging him with too much strength and receiving a groan.
When she leaned back, he tilted his head to the side and observed her for a few seconds.
He seemed confused as he lifted his head to sniff the air.
Suddenly he snapped his head back at her, staring at her with a knowing look.
“So, my lady. Enough with me.” His mischievous glint made Elena narrow her eyes suspiciously.
“Where were you before and why can I smell someone on you?” He inquired.
Damned Beta’s sense of smell!
Elena bit her lips but couldn’t stop the smile on her lips and a blush on her cheeks, that didn’t go unnoticed by her friend.
Fortunately for her, Giulia and Rex came back just at that moment, full of food.
Thank goddess she was safe!
“This is SO not over.” He whispered in her ear. She rolled her eyes, of course she should have known that Marco was not going to let that go.
But what he said next… made all her blood leave her face.
“I’m dying to know why you have Black Alpha’s smell all over you.”
Ops!
AN/ Will Elena tell the truth about her mate?!
We will see it next Saturday!! ;)
And thank you so so much for reading!! Have an amazing weekend everyone & stay safe! :)