"What do you mean we're not going to the pack house?"

Maggie's eyes had turned cold towards Faolan once again. He knew she would be mad and she could punish him all she wanted...once they were back in his territory.

"You're not safe here. We're going home to keep you safe while we...adjust"

Maggie didn't change her expression or move. She just continued to glare at Faolan while still sitting in his lap.

"Not safe?!? I've been safe here for the last three years am home. I live here. We literally just drove away from my trailer. "

Faolan could understand her anger but he was bot going to back down from this.

"Yes your trailer. The same trailer where one of the most notorious Alphas had his hands all over you." Faolan was starting to loose cool. Of all the wolves out there pawing at his mate it had to be Bryce fucking Foyer. "Forgive me if I question the choice to stay in a location he could easily have access to. We're going to MY pack house with MY warriors that I trust. Be angry all you want but this is happening"

Both wolves stared at each other trying to assert dominance. Faolan could feel through the bond his mate was a swirl of anger but underneath that she was full of fear. He could understand that. She was headed to a new territory with wolves she didn't know to a life she hadn't been a part of for who knows how many years.

After a few moments of staring, Faolan brush the side of her face which made Maggie flinch. Faolan only paused a moment before further brushing her hair back. Maggie closed her eyes as his finished the motion obviously being effected by the mate bond but as soon as it concluded she snapped away from Faolan's lap retreating to the other side of the car.

His mate was nervous...so was he. As much as he didn't want to Faolan gave her the space she required. What little there was to give. He knew the beginning would be rough but he also knew it would be worth it.

Maggie turned herself towards the driver side window to look out and the passing scenery trying to ignore him. Faolan gave a sigh and continued to watch his mate with every mile that passed.
...

They had driven all day neither one really speaking to each other. All the better Maggie thought. Her inner self was still reeling from the fact that she was now a mate and of an Alpha to boot. She would always be running. Not that she hadn't been before but before she had hope that Bryce would eventually accept her departure. Now that she wore Faolan's mark she knew he would never cease to chase after her.

They stopped twice to refill the gas tank. Each time Faolan offered to escort her around but each time she refused to answer and just stared out the window.  It didn't seem to deter Faolan. He always came back with some sort of snack or drink to give her. 

It was twilight before the arrived at their destination. Faolan's territory was deep in the woods but being more north and in the mountains it was much cooler than where she came from. The road leading to the pack house wound back and forth and it snaked through the rocky landscape. If she wasn't a prisoner Maggie would have found it beautiful.

The town car slowed as it approached a large stone and iron gate. To the sides several man stood guard. There was no need to carry weapons. The deadliest thing they could wield was lying deep inside them. As the car stopped the driver whom Maggie now knew as Theo nodded to one of the men who rushed to the guard house to open the gate. 

It wasn't long after they passed the gate before they reached the first cropping of houses. Most packs lived in a large pack house but some of the bigger packs had small communities instead. Judging by the amount of houses scattered about Faolan's pack was huge. It was practically it's own town!

Further down the main road curved to reveal a large estate house nestled among the trees. House was a modest term for it. To Maggie is was practically a castle. It was built somewhat in the Tudor style but with more stone. The pale wood and brick contrasted against the dark forest. What kind of pack could afford this?

Being overwhelmed by the house brought Maggie back to the events of this morning. What was it that Bryce had called him? Your majesty?  Maggie turned to look at him for the first time in hours. Faolan was there staring back at her calm and soft.

It was like Maggie was looking at him for the first time. How did she not realize how big he was? He was huge even considering he was an alpha. He whole body looked taught, like a spring ready to snap. Faolan just sat quietly while Maggie examined him fully confident in who he was.

Theo pulled the town car to a stop by the front entrance and exited the car. Maggie sat in her seat unsure of what to do. Should she leave? Can she? Her attempts earlier made it seem like the doors were some how locked.

Maggie was deep in contemplation when she was distracted by a pull of her hand. She turned to see Faolan smiling at her.

"Welcome home." He said. The two paused for a moment staring at each other before Faolan opened his door and unfolded himself from the back seat. He then stepped to the side and turned towards Maggie waiting for her to exit as well.

Maggie took a few moments. She didn't want to leave her little refuge. As much as she hated being in the car it was known territory as opposed to the unknown world that laid outside. Still one can not avoid the inevitable.

Slowly Maggie slid to the other side of the car and peered out the open door. Faolan still softly smiling stared down at her. Upon meeting her eyes he offered his hand to help her out. In awe of her surroundings Maggie didn't notice she had accepted his hand before stepping out .

The house, if it could even be called that, seemed even bigger outside the car. Maggie's eyes flickered back and forth trying to comprehend the magnitude of the building.

"Don't worry. It's just seems huge." Maggie turned to see that Faolan had been watching her reaction the entire time. She now felt embarrassed at the way she was gawking.

Her embarrassment was short lived when the front entrance opened and a blur of blond and blue came barreling towards them. Maggie caught off guard shifted to hide behind Faolan's back. The blur ran straight for Theo barreling into the large man. Once it made impact Theo wrapped his arms around the figure and swung it around. A chorus of a giggles and laughter reached Maggie's ears. Theo seemed pretty happy to have been mauled by the mysterious figure.

As the paired slowed down Maggie peaked around Faolan to she that the blur was indeed a woman with blond hair, wearing a blue dress with grey leggings and house slippers. The woman looked up at Theo and he back at her in total adoration. Mates.

"What on Earth are you doing back? You weren't suppose to return for at least another week?" The woman's voice was bubbly and full of vibrancy. It reminded Maggie of Candace in a way.

"Uh.. yeah. Blame that on Faolan." Theo replied. The woman turned toward Faolan with a smile and her hands on her hips.

"Well I guess I can't be mad at you for taking Theo away a week early if you also come back a week early. "

Maggie felt Faolan chuckle at the woman.

"Oh come on Erin. You couldn't stay mad at me even if you tried."

"Well thank you for bringing him back all the same...but why did you come back early?" Faolan turned his head to look at Maggie through the corner of his eye trying to gage her reaction to everything. Maggie moved back to being behind Faolan and out of sight.

"Well I ran into someone," Faolan answered. With that he stepped to the side and grabbing her hand pulled Maggie forward. The woman's eyes grew wide and curious at seeing Maggie. It only took a few moments before the woman connected the implications at which point her face became bright with excitement.

"Oh it that who I think it is?!?" Before Maggie could do anything about it the Theo's mate charged towards her and wrapped herself around Maggie's waste squeezing Maggie to her. Maggie froze
Not knowing how to respond to the onslaught. She held her arms out and away wanting to make as little contact as possible. Definitely like Candace.

"Erin! Don't strangle the girl," Theo called to his mate. The woman gave one final squeeze before letting Maggie go. After stepping back the woman spoke to Maggie.

"Welcome to the pack! I'm Erin, Theo's mate. We are so excited you're here. I hope we can be great friends." Before Maggie could respond to Erin, Theo grabbed her and whipped her over his shoulder before walking towards the pack house. Maggie squealed with delight and waved at Maggie before adjusting herself to sit in Theo's arms and wrap her hands around his neck.

Maggie stared at the still opened door the couple entered through. Faolan pulled her forward by his hand.

"Come on," he said. "We need to feed you."

Inside the house was just as splendid. Luxurious without going overboard. Maggie was so distracted from looking at her surroundings she still didn't realize she was still holding Faolan's hand. They walked down a few hallways until they reached the house kitchen.

It was huge and covered in white marble complete with a large island. A kitchen this big would easily feed all the numerous members of a large house.

Faolan led Maggie to a counter and hoisted her to sit on it. He then turned to the giant double door fridge and opened to rummage around for food. He pulled out a container and popped it in the microwave before turning it on. He kept his back towards Maggie as the microwave whirled.

Maggie felt very awkward. She was in a strange house sitting on the counter with a strange man she barely knew in a strange territory she had never been too. She spent the minutes that the microwave counted down struggling to where to put her hands. On the counter? In her lap? Why did her hands matter so much?

Her inner debate was interrupted by the beep of the microwave. Faolan opened it and removed the container before grabbing a fork and walking back to Maggie. He nestled him self in between her legs dangling over the edge not leaving much space for her. He took the fork in hand and stabbed at something before offering a bite of meatloaf towards Maggie.

Maggie stared at the floating bite. Was he feeding her like some spoiled helpless princess? Maggie went to grab the fork but Faolan pulled it out of her reach. Maggie huffed and crossed her arms in annoyance. Faolan offered her the bite again and Maggie just stared at it this time. She knew if she tried to grab the fork he would pull it away again but she didn't want to be fed like a child. They both just sat there for a minute as neither one wanted to submit.

Faolan let out a long sigh. "Maggie you haven't eaten all day I know you're hungry just eat it please?" Maggie was indeed very hungry but didn't want To admit defeat.

"I'm fine," she simply replied. Right on cue her stomach let out a long growl just to spite her. Faolan narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

"Maggie I can wait here all night. Just eat it and we can move on." Fine. Maggie thought. But only cause she really was hungry and the meatloaf smelled amazing. Maggie opened her mouth to allow Faolan to pop the bite in before pulling it out. Maggie tried not to visibly sigh as she chewed. It was probably because she hadn't eaten that day but leftover meatloaf should not taste that good.

Faolan took turns feeding Maggie and feeding himself as they sat silently in the kitchen. When the container was finished Faolan rinsed it and placed it in the sink. He then walked back to Maggie and pulled her by her hand off the counter leading her out of the kitchen.

The two walked down the hallway until they reached a large winding double staircase. Faolan lead Maggie up the left staircase to the 4 floor. Where he walked them both down to the end of the hallway. He opened a large dark wooden door before pulling Maggie into the room with him.

The room they entered was huge with plush carpet and warm brown tones throughout. There was even a fire place in the corner near the large bed. As Maggie entered and looked around she was engulfed by the now familiar scent of cedar and oranges. This was Faolan's room.

Once they were in the center of the room Faolan let got of Maggie and went into the large walking closet. He rustled around in there out of sight for a few moments before waking out with a pair of black basketball shorts and a white t-shirt.

"I know you probably don't have much to wear right now." He handed Maggie the clothes he was holding as he spoke. "I'll send someone to your trailer and have them bring everything up to us. Tomorrow we can also get you a few things to hold you over until your stuff arrives."

Maggie didn't think he should bother. She didn't plan on staying that long but she didn't want to alert him to that fact so she simply nodded her head and continued to look around uneasy. They were in his bedroom. Thousands of scenarios played through her head at what could happen in here. The uncertainty of which one would play out made her antsy. Faolan must have sense her apprehension as he took a step back.

"Look Maggie I don't want you to worry tonight. We're both exhausted and just need some sleep. I'll sleep on the couch in the sitting area. You can have the bed tonight but tomorrow we're dealing with this ok?"

Maggie was surprised with his concession. Wasn't it just downstairs that he insisted on feeding her? Maggie decided she shouldn't question it and just be grateful for the reprieve.

Maggie went into the large en suite bathroom and changed into her borrowed clothes. As she tucked herself under the covers she almost groaned as she sunk into the soft bedding. It sure beat the hard trailer mattress she was use to sleeping on.

Before konking out for the night Maggie looked one last time at Faolan. He was sitting on the couch that was now made up with extra bedding. He was wearing a white t-shirt that was stretched tight over his muscles and a pair of navy sweatpants. The man was fit. He held a laptop in his lap and was staring at the screen. Upon feeling her gaze he lifted his eyes and met her stare. He smiled slightly at seeing her in his bed. It pleased him she was there. That just reminded Maggie of the awkward situation she was in.

"Don't worry Maggie," he said. "I'm a man of my word. I'll stay right here. You can rest uninterrupted." With his reassurance Maggie rolled herself so that her back was towards him and snuggled in before falling asleep.