Riona woke up against a cold concrete wall. Her hands were raised above her head in chains. She wore a thin cotton shirt as her only shield against the cold. It was obvious her latest escape attempt was a failure.

After getting over the initial panic of waking up in an unknown place, Riona took a survey or her surroundings. She was in one of the underground cells. Her body was sluggish and her muscles burned every time she moved. Tall tale signs of being drugged. Bryce wanted to make sure she was helpless when he returned. Nothing to do now but wait.

Maybe twenty minutes later Riona could hear the metal cell door open and the sickly sweet smell she hated filled the room. Her wolf growled at the intruder's presence. Riona didn't give him the satisfaction of looking at him.

"Riona how many times do we have to do this?" Bryce's voice was cold. Riona used to be scared of it at first but now she was used to it. She would be worried if Bryce all of a sudden was talking soft and sweet to her. "Why'd you run Riona?"

"Why ask a question you already know the answer to?" She replied softly. "I don't want to be here."

"You know what happens now, right?" She knew. It happened with every attempt made. It never kept her from trying again though. She would never stop trying. She didn't belong here anymore.

"I hate doing this to you Riona. My wolf whines every time." Riona snorted at his comment. He suffers? Typical. He's making himself to be the victim. Justify it all he wanted. Riona knew better. "Bear with it my sweet. I will break you so that you know you can never leave me."

Riona heard the whistle of the whip before a stripe of fire lashed across her back. Riona gasped but held the shriek that tried to escape. She would not give him the satisfaction of hearing her pain. Without reprieve another lash of fire hit her. Over and over her back was whipped. After the eighth lash hit she felt the skin on her back break open. Riona clenched at her chains trying to absorb each new wave. Thwack! Thwack! On the twentieth lash her first cry echoed throughout the chamber. Tears ran down her face as the lashes continued.

Maggie woke up with a silent gasp as she was pulled away. Two strong arms surrounded her. Unsure of who they belonged Maggie began to struggle and fight against the restraints. She was immediately shushed with a low mellow voice.

"Shh... Calm down Maggie, it's just me. You had a bad dream." Suddenly everything rushed back to her. She wasn't in the dungeon. She wasn't back in the Long Tooth pack. She was free. She was out. Maggie relieved turned her body over and threw her arms arounds around Faolan who had crawled into the bed to comfort her.

The damn that held all of her emotions over the past few days finally broke and she sobbed into his shoulder as everything came crashing down. Faolan hugged Maggie to him tighter enveloping her in the warmth that she craved. Maggie continued to sob until all the pain had seeped out of her body. By the time she was done, she had no energy to force the Alpha back out of the bed and so just let him be as she drifted back to sleep.
...

Maggie was trying to stay asleep. But the sun shining in the room and the birds chirping told a different story. In a last ditch effort to stay asleep Maggie buried herself further into the warm pile of pillows and bedding she had. She could die here and be purely happy.

As she shifted two arms of steal also shifted with her and resettled around her. Maggie opened her eyes to see A sleeping Faolan just a few inches in front of her. She was so emotional last night she forgot to kick him back to the couch.

Embarrassed by their closeness Maggie turned over to climb out of bed but the moment she moved away from the Alpha the two arms around her tightened bringing her backside right up against him.

Maggie froze still for a few minutes not wanting to wake him. When Faolan's breath steadied out she then attempted to
wiggle out of his arms. Her movements were slow as she didn't want to alarm him again but as her panic was setting in the movements became more frantic. Just when she was about to be free the arms tighten around her in an iron grip. A low growl purred in her ear.

"Where are you going Maggie?" Faolan's voice was raspy and low. Dammit. She didn't mean to wake him. Maggie looked over her shoulder to meet Faolan's narrowed eyes.

"I have to pee," she whispered. He wouldn't be able to argue with that excuse. Who doesn't need to pee first thing in the morning?

Faolan inspected her for a few more moments. Obviously he didn't believe that was her only motivation but he couldn't really argue with the excuse. Faolan squeezed her one last time while burying her nose in her neck and inhaling her neck.

"Don't be long," he said softly as he finally released her. Maggie took the opportunity to scramble out of the bed and run for the bathroom. She locked the door before backing away from it. Maggie looked around the bathroom. Beside being spacious and luxurious with a walk-in shower and a huge tub Maggie couldn't see anything that would be useful to her. With nothing to do Maggie did her business and washed her hands and taking a moment to calm herself before exiting.

Faolan was right there at the entrance when the door opened which caught Maggie off guard. At making eye contact with him Faolan's mouth smirked to one side.

"Yes dear. I look just as amazing in the morning," he said confidently. After he brushed past Maggie and walked into the bathroom. Maggie was confused at what he was doing and followed her gaze inward until she heard the sound of water tinkling in the toilet. Maggie whipped back around not wanting to see anything. She was a bit appalled how comfortable he was relieving himself in front of her so openly. Maggie didn't dare take a peak until she heard a flush followed by the running water of the sink.

After drying his hands Faolan walked over to Maggie once again pulling her to him. Maggie froze once again not knowing what to do. The two stood in the bathroom for a few minutes as Faolan held her to him.

"Alright," he said. "Food first then talking."
...

Back down in the kitchen Maggie sat on a kitchen counter while Faolan finished plating the scrambled eggs. Maggie noted that there were two plates so she wouldn't have to suffer through being fed again. The two ate in silence Faolan glancing at Maggie and Maggie trying to avoid his stare all together.

After they were both finished Faolan set both their plates to the side and grabbed Maggie's hand. Maggie stared at the joined hands confused at how it made her feel.

"Alright," he said calmly. "Lay it on me."
Maggie stared at him unsure of what he wanted. "I see it in your eyes Maggie. You have something to say, so say it. I won't get mad. Just tell me."

Was he being serious? Maggie was a bit taken back by his candidacy. Did he really want to her to say it?

Faolan continue to sit silently not letting her avoid the issue. He was willing to wait until she finally gave in. Maggie gave a deep sigh but would not meet his eyes when she finally spoke.

"I can't be your mate," she said simply. Faolan raised his eyebrow confused.

"Is it the whole rogue thing? That doesn't bother me. It's not like the old days where rogues were automatically considered monsters. "

He didn't understand.

"No I mean it I CAN'T be your mate." Faolan rolled his eyes before looking at her.

"Even rogues have mates Maggie."

He didn't get it. There was no way they could be mates. She already knew her mate and even though he is a dick, it meant that she couldn't possibly be Faolan's mate. But there was not way to explain all that without revealing who Bryce is and with that comes the chance that she would be forced to return to him.

"No, I'm saying there is absolutely no possible way that you or I could be mates." Her voice was louder with frustration trying to get Faolan to understand. Faolan kept trying to convince her otherwise.

"Maggie I knew this would be hard for you to accept but-" this was getting to be too much for Maggie.

"Please just trust me on this one," Maggie continued to argue. "You only get one mate and I'm sorry I'm not it. There is no possible way I could be. I wish I was, but I'm not." Maggie voice began to breakdown as she looked down trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. It was torture what he was doing. Everyone was told that their mate was their other half. That they would take care of each other. It was something every wolf dreamed of but Maggie's dream turned into a nightmare with Bryce. And here was Faolan teasing her with something she could never have.

Faolan looked at Maggie with concern in his eyes. He raised his hand and caressed her cheek affectionately. When she met his eyes again finally he ask her a whispered question.

"You don't remember what happened that night so you?" Maggie couldn't respond without breaking so she shook her head instead. Faolan without breaking eye contact released her cheek and raised his hand to the collar of his t-shirt and paused before pulling it to the side. Maggie gasped at what she saw. There where his neck met his shoulder was her mating mark still healing over.

...

Well that could have gone better. But it also could have gone worse. Maggie was almost in hysterics when he showed her her mating mark on him. He didn't think that would upset her so much. He just wanted for her to get through her head that they were really mates and that seemed the most obvious way to do it. Had he known she would totally break down from it he would have approached it a different way.

Faolan held her rubbing her back as she sobbed into his shoulder. It was the second time after her nightmare last night that he had done this for her. He hated how much pain she was in but his wolf was happy that she would take comfort with him. After a while Maggie became tired from all the emotional stress she just released. Faolan took her back to their bedroom and tucked her in for a rest.

After he was sure she was out he went to his office down the hall. He had some questions he needed answers. One was what had caused Maggie to have those nightmares. He had seen them before from old soldiers who had gone through battles. His Luna has been hurt before and he wanted to know how. Mostly likely what had hurt her had caused her to go rogue and was also the reason she refused to join another pack.

The second question scared him even more. Maggie was absolutely sure that he was not her mate. Looking into her eyes he saw she had no doubt there wasn't even a slightest possibility they could be chosen for each other. How come she was so sure? They only way you to know for sure you can't have a mate is if you already have one. So did Maggie have a mate already? If so why wasn't she ever marked?

Faolan's wolf growled at the thought of Maggie belonging to another man. She belong to him and he to her. His wolf wouldn't let anyone stand in their way. But they needed answers so they called the only wolf he knew that could have any.

"This is Alpha Bob." The Alpha was all business. Faolan just hoped he could help.

"Bob this is Faolan how are you." Faolan heard a snort on the other.

"Well it would be going better if our King hadn't left in the middle of the gathering. Can't do much without you so most everyone is headed home."

Faolan ran his hand through his hair.
"Yeah sorry. Circumstances ya know?"

Alpha Bob gave another chuckle. "Yeah I get it. Once I told everyone what was going on they were pretty understanding. There are still some issues that need to be addressed though when things settle for you. Some of the packs are still short on their dues and Alpha Bryce has been a real duck since that morning." Faolan's wolf growled at the mention of Bryce. He could still see the mongrel grabbing at his mate.

"And did Alpha Bryce ever explain what he was doing when he was pawing at my mate." Faolan was trying to remain calm but couldn't help to let some of his aggression toward Bryce growl through.

"I asked him that same thing. He claims he thought she was just a rogue and was removing her off land as she was so close to the gathering. As if a rogue would be that close to my land and I wouldn't of known about it."

Faolan pulled on his hair trying not to let his anger get away. That was a pitiful excuse even for Bryce. He was hiding something.

"Speaking of Maggie," Bob called out," How is she? My daughter Candace is still mad that I let you take her away. She'll kill me if anything was happening to her." Faolan's wolf calmed more at the mention of Maggie's well being. He really owes Bob for taking care of Maggie before he found her. How could he describe how Maggie is doing?

"She's...adjusting. It's a huge transition for her and well.." Faolan was embarrassed by his weak response.

"You don't have to explain it further. I trust you Faolan. You're a good king. I know you'll take care of her. If you need I can send Candace up to you. Might help her to have a familiar face in her new surroundings and It would help me calm Candace down." Faolan was surprised by the offer. Usually Alpha daughters were highly protected. They were almost never allowed to visit other packs. It spoke to how much trust Bob had in Faolan.

"I might do that. Maybe in a week or so. But I do have another question for you. You said Maggie helped Candace when she ran away. How did she help?"

Alpha Bob was silent for a minute. Faolan could tell he wanted to answer but was held back for some reason.

"I'm not sure I'm the best person to tell you. When Candace ran away she got scooped up by a pack of rogues. I scrambled my warriors to go aide her and when we arrived the place and everyone in it was torn to shreds. Maggie had somehow gotten Candace out before the massacre happened saving my daughter. I don't know what we would have done if Candace was there when everyone was slaughtered."

That was quite a tale and if Maggie did that for the Alpha's daughter no wonder Bob was so fond of her.

"How did Maggie get Candace out?" Faolan asked.

Bob gave another sigh. "I don't know. Candace has been tight lipped about it. All she will say is that Maggie saved her. Maggie says even less but maybe she will open up to you now that you are mates."

That was an idea. Now that Faolan knew what to ask about, he could hopefully get more clarification from Maggie. It wasn't a lot to go on, but at least it was something.