Howling for Forgiveness

Chapter 12

Quickly the next morning, I ran over to where they were keeping Matt. I saw him laying there on the white bed; alone. He looked so beaten and it made tears prick my eyes. Marco walked in and I couldn't help but growl protectively, caging Matt underneath my arms. He raised his hands above his head in surrender, but it wasn't enough to calm my wolf down.

For some odd reason I didn't blame Marco entirely for what has happened, but my wolf did. She didnt't want him anywhere near him and another step would have cost him his life. I honestly don't know why I even trust the bastard when he's obviously contributed to all the pain I've ever felt. He wasn't the direct abuser toward Matt but he was pretty much the puppet master of the entire evil scheme. Still... A strange feeling told me not to completely blame this on him and I knew to listen to that part because being an empathic fairy opens this seventh sense that normally werewolves don't have. (The sixth sense is a werewolf's ability to sense when someone is around without actually seeing them.)

My wolf growled and barred it's fangs at Marco, thankfully he got the message and didn't dare to move any closer. My wolf stopped growling but I could still feel how on edge she was with having an enemy standing in the same room. "What are you doing here?" I asked, glaring down at the floor as I held Matt's hand as he slept. Marco frowned, regret casting shadows across his eyes.

"I wanted to truly apologize and offer myself up to help you in anyway you need." He bowed his head to me. "If leaving the pack will remove some of the pain, then that's what I'll do. I'll leave and never come back. I don't deserve to stay under the protection of your father. I've disrespected all of you!" His fists were balled up at his sides, knuckles turning white. The frustration he felt was boiling inside him and I could almost see it as an aura surrounding him. Are my powers growing stronger? Even after all the magic I've already used up?

I knew Marco's old self was definitely back when he began his rant, "I'm the worst son of a Beta that could have ever been born! How could I have caused my future Luna, my future mate so much pain? I don't understand how all of this could have happened! How was I so blind?!"

He threw his body onto the ground, head bowing and fists curled tight in front of him. "I'll do anything and everything you want and need me to do! I want... No..." He raises his eyes to find them landing on my glowing purple ones, my wolf intent on listening to his every word. Marco's gaze was also of his wolf's and those chocolate eyes were swirling with every emotion he had hid behind his previous anger. "I need you to punish me!" I thought I could see a tear glisten across his cheek. "I want to feel all the pain I have made you feel all those years!"

I couldn't help but stare openly at him in shock with my eyes wide. "I..." Words could not be formed.

"Please.." He begged, bowing his head once more hitting the floor as hard as he could leaving a dent where his hands made contact.

"All I wish for is not to see your face right now. I want you to simply leave me alone with my mate." I shake my head. "I don't wish to steal away your life the way you stole seven years of mine. Unlike you, I am still right in mind." I glanced down at Matt lying still on the bed, his steady breathing raising and lowering his chest. "Marco, just leave and I'll deal with the rest. I won't let you lose your wolf, your right to a mate, or your life." I gaze back into Marco's eyes. "But you must leave this room at once."

"Karia..." He breathed. He pushed himself up off the ground. "I am so sorry. I'm such a failure." And he walked out without another word.

Not a failure, Marco. Just a lost soul steered off course by anger, I thought. I glanced up at the roof of the hospital room closing my eyes. "How can I mate Matt and spare Marco? Please, world, there must be a way!"