Weres

64. Scars (The End)

Hunter turned back and looked at the Marshville's pack house. Nicholas and Catherine were standing at the steps to see them off. It was supposed to be Eden's job as the hosting Alpha, but he wasn't here. Hunter gave the former Alpha couple a nod and climbed into the jeep parked in front of him.

"Eden still hasn't come out," Cole said, starting the engine. "How long is he going to hole himself inside a room? His wolf must be getting restless?"

"His wolf doesn't give a shit about anything other than his mate," Hunter retorted giving a last glance at Marshville's pack house. "He didn't even come out for Thea, so expecting a goodbye for us is silly." Through rear view mirror he saw other cars following them.

It was over. Dimitri and his vampire army were dead.

Oakheart's warriors were returning. Other packs had already left. Many lycans followed Jared and Thea, whereas very few decided to stay back at Marshville. It had been a week since they defeated knights. As soon as the injured were well enough to travel, Eastbourne and Oakheart warriors decided to leave. They missed their families and mates, more so after such traumatic events.

The three Knights had also returned to their unknown home taking with them a hesitant Theo. It wasn't much of a choice for the poor human boy, mate bond had already entwined his fate with Sounia. But the she-knight had also managed to sneak in his heart by helping wolves in killing Dimitri.

Even though casualties were low—thanks to Marley—wolves hadn't seen such bloodshed and chaos in decades. Modern werewolf world was relatively peaceful with packs allying with each others for resources and business. 

Even if the problems arose they were sought out diplomatically, sometimes even with rogues. It was supposed killing was a second nature to wolves, but diplomacy and struggle to survive in human world had subdued it. This fight had took a toll on everyone.

Hunter sighed. On returning home he had to go through another difficult ordeal—informing families and mates of their dead ones. After witnessing Eden, Beta didn't know he had the capacity for that. He'd rather choose fighting knights again.

******

Eden's eyes closed as he felt familiar tingles on his head. The soft caresses of fingers on his hair lulling him into sleep.

"Stop," he murmured, his voice coming out raspy. "I'm here so you can order me around, not to sleep."

"You didn't sleep last night. Just have some rest," Marley said, frowning at the stubborn face of her mate which lay on the side of her hospital bed. "I'll wake you if I need anything."

"How do you know I didn't sleep last night?"

"I—" Marley paused.

"You didn't sleep either." Eden raised his head and leaned against his chair, which was next to her bed. "Last night it was hurting, wasn't it?" He looked at her neck. Even though she had healed a lot in few days there were still yellow-purple finger marks on her neck. There were also deep cuts on her head covered with dry blood. 

However, her source of pain was something else. It was two punctured holes at the side of her neck.

"It didn't hurt that much. They are now bearable," Marley mumbled. "Iosif was right. Bite mark will fade away, so will its pain."

The bite that Dimitri gave Marley always pricked. Iosif told her it would fade away, it was her body fighting the change. He was right. The first night it burned like hell that she screamed for hours. Marley was grateful for Eden who held her hand throughout that night, taking some of the pain away.