Maggie was a mess. She knew this new happiness couldn't last. She wasn't that lucky. After the shock of seeing Bryce, Maggie sat in the shower and bawled for what seemed like hours. Faolan sat on the tile floor with her in his lap rubbing her arms and body trying to comfort her and keep her warm. 

After she was tired out, Faolan lifter her and brought her to the bedroom. Hee dressed her quickly in a pair of blue pajama shorts and one of his t-shirts and then promptly tucked her into the bed. Maggie went through the motions while trying to avoid his gaze. She was embarrassed and wasn't ready to face the consequences of what happened yet.  

Once she had laid down and pulled the covers over her, Faolan rose from the bed to leave. In a panic Maggie shot back up to grab his hand. 

"Please don't go!" Her voice was loud with panic. Faolan gave her a sad smile and sat back down on the bed grasping her hand in return. 

"I'll stay right here until you fall asleep." Maggie felt better knowing he would stay and laid back down not wanting to let go of his hand. It took a few moments for her mind to settle from all the chaos but as soon as it did she drifted off into sleep. 

...

It took a bit before Maggie fell asleep. Even when she closed her eyes her body still twitched constantly reaching out for Faolan, making sure he was still there. He was patient in waiting for her to settle. She had just gone through something profound and traumatic and he didn't want to leave her feeling vulnerable. 

After 30 minutes her body finally settled and he was able to let her go without disturbing her rest. He wished he could just stay with her hidden away, but he needed to deal with the aftermath of what went down. 

Faolan mind linked with Theo and Max. 

What the status everything, he thought his Alpha tone seeping through. Theo answered first

Alpha Dan and Alpha Bob are still here. I had some guest rooms set up for them to stay the night. Alpha Bryce left in quite a hurry. Faolan growled. Coward.

What were his wounds?  Faolan may have hated the bastard but he was still an Alpha who was attacked on his territory. He needed to make sure it wasn't too severe.

Dawson didn't get much of a look at him before he left. Said is looked like he had a broken jaw but couldn't be sure without an examination. He also had lots of cuts and bruises but it was obviously not enough to keep him from running away. Doc said he'll most likely be fine.

Faolan nodded mentally at Theo's explanation. He then turned his attention to Max.

Did you find the information I asked for?  This revelation brought up many question about his mate that he need answered for. 

Yes, Alpha. I sent the requested info to your laptop. 

Faolan entered his office and went straight to the laptop on his desk. He quickly opened the folder file Max had sent him and pulled up the pack members register for the Long Tooth pack. Faolan wolf growled at Bryce's name listed at the top. He scrolled down looking at the various names until he found the one he was looking for/

Riona Heartwell

Gender: Female

Age: 24

Birthday: September 21st

Mate status: Unmated

Note: Missing; presumed runaway; if found must be returned to pack immediately

Her file was bare and impersonal. Nowhere in it did it tell how her eyes lit up when she was cooking in the kitchen or that her laugh was warm and cheerful. All it did was confirm that she was once a part of the Long Tooth pack. Once, but not anymore. Faolan flagged the membership roll and linked again with Max.

Max, I'm sending a flagged file back to you. It needs immediate updating. 

Yes, Alpha.  

Faolan continued to look through the various files and records.

...

Maggie woke up with a pounding headache. No doubt from the excessive crying she did. Maggie sat up and looked around the room. She was alone. Faolan must had slipped away to deal with the mess she had landed him in. It was all over now. Faolan would send her back with Bryce and the torment would start all over again. 

Maggie heard a soft knock at the door before it opened. Erin walked in carrying a small tray. She looked at Maggie with a sad smile.

"Oh sweetie. You look like hell." Maggie felt it. Erin walked over to Maggie and sat at the end of the bed presenting her with the tray which held a glass of water and some pills. Maggie looked at the pills questioningly. "Ibuprofen." She stated simply. 

Maggie grabbed the pills and tossed them in her mouth before chugging down the water. Maggie then once again looked at her friend. 

"How much did Faolan tell you?" She was afraid her friend would be upset with her. She didn't exactly lie but she also wasn't honest. 

"Faolan? Nothing. Theo on the other hand..." Erin let the hanging silence finish the thought her her. Maggie sighed in despair. How everyone must have hated her now. 

"How long do I have?" Erin looked at Maggie confused at the question. "How long before I have to leave?" she clarified.

"What do you mean leave?" Erin said annoyed. "Sweetie you aren't going anywhere."

"But I already had a mate and now that everyone knows I'll be sent back to him and..." Erin cut her off before she became hysterical.

"Whose mark are you wearing?" Maggie stopped to stare in shock. Erin said her question again emphasizing each word. "Whose. Mark. Are. You. Wearing?" Maggie looked at Erin, her eybrows knitted together. Erin just continued. "More importantly who is wearing you mark?" Erin lifted an eyebrow indicating she wanted an answer this time.

"Faolan..." Maggie said in a breathy tone. 

"Exactly. You are both marked by each other making you mates. It doesn't matter whatever asshole there was before. No, it's you and Faolan because you both chose and accepted each other. And some idiot who didn't know what a good thing he had when he had it isn't going to come and tear you apart. I'm sorry but you are here to stay, dear."

Maggie leaned back in the bed relief flowing over her. She wasn't being sent back. She didn't have to face the hell she was in before. 

"How upset is Faolan?" Maggie worried that Faolan would now regret their mating. Erin shrugged her shoulders.

"He's worried about you. He's hurt that he was blindsided a bit but he always knew there was things you were keeping from him. " Maggie lowered her eyes ashamed at what she had put him through. "He's doesn't blame you for not trusting him yet and neither do I." Erin lifted Maggie's chin with both her hands to look directly into her eyes. "It's time to come clean now. You can't leave him in the dark forever." Maggie nodded. She knew it wasn't right the leave him out of it. "He'll understand." Erin continued. "I'll kick his ass if he doesn't" 

Before Maggie could respond there was another knock at the door before it opened. Maggie heart raced as she watched Faolan enter the room. He looked tired and worn down. No doubt from all the drama he had to deal with. Erin patted Maggie's legs and left without saying a word leaving Maggie to stare at her mate. She didn't know where to begin. Just as she was about the start Faolan interrupted her. 

"Can I hold you?" he asked. Maggie was caught off guard by the question. 

"What?" 

"Can I hold you?" He asked again. Maggies eyes watered as a soft smile graced her lip. Unable to answer she nodded her head at the Alpha. Faolan rushed to the bed pulling her into his lap and plunging his nose into her hair. Maggie was instantly surrounded by his comforting smell. She buried her face into his check savoring his closeness. 

...

Faolan held Maggie for close to twenty minutes. He knew he needed to talk to her about everything but he wold demanded they hold and comfort their mate before doing so. He warmed when Maggie took comfort from him as well. after a while Faolan pulled away slightly so he could talk still keeping his mate in his lap. There was hundreds of questions swirling around in his head. 

"So where do we start?" He asked quietly. He wanted to let Maggie take the lead. It was her story to tell and he wanted her to tell it her way.

"What do you want to know?" she mumbled into his shirt.

"How about we start with your name." He already knew it but thought it was better to start with something easy. Maggie lifted her head off her shoulder to look at him with concern in her eyes.

"My name is Riona Heartwell. She simply stated." Faolan smiled at hearing her name.

"It's nice to meet you Riona?" he smiled at her. That calmed her slightly. "Where did you come up with Maggie?" 

"It was my mother's name." 

"And where is your mother?"

"Died from cancer when I was seven." 

"And your father?" 

"Died when I was 14. Rogue attack."

"So you didn't have anyone." It was more of a statement than a question. Maggie once again nodded. 

"Well...now you have me." Faolan looked at Maggie as that statement settled on her. Her eyes shone again before she grabbed him and hugged him hard. He was not going to give her up that easily.

...

They talked for over an hour getting to know each other for the first time openly. Maggie...no not Maggie. Riona. Riona didn't hold anything back. She was being given a second chance with Faolan and she didn't want to ruin it by hiding anything. Faolan in turn was open and honest with her. He told her of his life growing up in the Royal pack. She told him of his father who died of a heart attack and of his doting mother who no doubt would be storming back from her world travels to meet her new daughter-in-law.

Eventually the couple had to face the real challenge. Riona's past and why she ran from it. Faolan knew it wouldn't be easy with her but hoped that he could help her through it. 

"Riona?" Faolan called. Riona knew what came next "What happened to you in your old pack?" A weight fell on Riona at hearing those words. Erin's words came to mind. It's time to come clean now. Riona looked for a place to start.

"When my father died, since I was still a minor I was brought to the Alpha's household to stay until I became an adult. That's when I first got to know Bryce. He wasn't as cold as he is now." Faolan didn't interrupt but stared at Riona, his brow farrowed. "When I shifted at 16 I knew immediately Bryce was my mate." 

"What?!?" Bryce growled as his eyes turned gold. A sign his wolf was pushing for control. He arms clenched around Riona protectively. Maggie almost didn't answer but thought better to get it over with. 

"Bryce was my mate." Faolan growled again. Riona froze waiting to continue. Faolan continued to growl deeply. Riona raised her hand to turn his face so she could look at him directly. That seemed to have calmed him somewhat. He eyes returned to their deep blue color but a ring of gold remained. His wolf was letting her continue but would be listening intently.

"Remember, Bryce WAS my mate. Not anymore," She reminded him. Faolan nodded and looked at her to continue. 

"Well his dad was upset with the pairing so he sent Bryce away with some others. He said it was to help them train but I knew it was to keep us apart. When I was 18, Bryce's dad died from another rogue attack and Bryce came home to take over the pack. I had thought we would be together but by that time Bryce had moved on. He started dating another warrior he was training with and eventually when I confronted him about it, he told me he wanted to be with the other girl instead." 

"So he made you a rogue." Faolan stated. 

"Not quite." Riona continued. "He did, but not in the way you think. I offered to let him reject me so we could both move on but he said no" Faolan whipped his gaze to stared at Riona in a stare of fury. 

"What do you mean he said no?" Faolan all but yelled at the accusatory question. Riona had to take a deep breath to remind herself he was not angry at her. 

"He said I wasn't allowed to go. Said his wolf wouldn't allow it. So he made me stay." Faolan slid out from underneath her to stand grabbing her shoulders. to look at her properly.

"He made you stay? He can't just keep you from leaving!" Faolan's eyes were turning gold again as his anger rose, learning of her past. "What did he do lock you in the dungeon to never let you out?" He hit the nail right on the head. Riona didn't want to confirm it and anger him more but her silence only served to do just that. 

"Fuck!" Faolan growled out. His mate was rejected and then forced to stay and be tortured with the rejection. "How long?" Faolan yelled. Riona didn't answer. "How long did he keep you a prisoner?" Riona stared at him with eye wide open. Faolan didn't yield, his eyes demanding an answer he wouldn't want to her.

Riona lower her gaze not wanting to look at him as she spoke.

"Three years."

Riona heard a scrape against a wall and then a boom as a pile of wood crumpled across the room. Riona looked up to see a nightstand now in pieces where it had landed and Faolan reaching for a coffee table intending to throw it like he did with the night stand. 

Riona had never seen him like this before and was shocked at the power that rolled off of him. Faolan let out a roar as furniture was tossed about the room. Riona was terrified at first not wanting to become the next target of his anger. She cowered on the far side on the bed away from him as he tore apart the room. It took Riona a few minutes before she realized something. Even as he tore through everything, Riona saw that none of it was landing near her. That even in his anger he refused to do something that might endanger her. It was just more proof that he cared for her.

Riona now understanding him more stood up from the bed and walked right up to Faolan who was about to lift another sitting chair. Before he could toss it Riona grabbed the chair and pulled it towards her forcing Faolan to look at her. 

"Put. The chair. Down." She growled putting all the authority she could muster into her voice. Gone was the trembling girl and instead she stood before him as his mate and equal. Foalan's golden eyes stared menacingly at her for a few moments before they began to soften. He blinked a few times as his raged faded enough to recognize her. When he had done so, Faolan immediately dropped the chair and stepped back to look around at the carnage he made of the room. Riona waited giving him time to adjust back to where he was.

Faolan looked at Riona no longer mad, but terrified at what he had done. 

"Mag- Riona, I'm so sorry! Please believe me I would never hurt you." Riona said nothing but instead walked up to Faolan and wrapped her arms around him giving him all the comfort he deserved.

"I know." she said softly. It took a moment before Faolan registered she was holding him but once he did he gripped her in a vice not wanting to let her go. 

...

Faolan held his mate to him. Three years. THREE YEARS, she was a prisoner by a man who should have cherished her. Upon hearing the cruelties that were place upon her, Faolan's wolf took control trashing their bedroom in his rage. Faolan was worried that the display of violence would terrify him mate causing her to run but was surprised when instead she embraced him trying to comfort him. He didn't deserve his mate. 

While still holding Riona, Faolan mind linked with Theo.

I want Alpha Bryce captured immediately and brought back to me by whatever means necessary...but I want him alive. 

Faolan listened as a chorus of howls sounded out, answering their Alpha's call. Bryce was going to pay.

...

Bryce picked up his speed as he heard wolves call out. No doubt they would be looking for him but he wasn't giving them the chance. He wasn't too proud to retreat when needed.

Bryce felt the pounding of his paws as he thought at what had happened. Where did it go wrong? Bryce was furious when Faolan ripped his mate from him claiming her as his own. Riona didn't belong to Faolan, she was his mate. But as furious as he was, this turn of events gave Bryce the perfect opportunity. 

He knew that Faolan was not Riona's mate, and therefore he could kill two birds with one stone. Eliminate Faolan by proving him guilty of forcing a mark on Riona and then reclaiming his mate to return to his pack. If he played his cards right, he could of even been crowned as the next king, but it all fell apart when Faolan showed everyone the mark he bore. How dare he wear her mark! It was Bryce's right alone to wear her mark and he stole it from her. Bryce didn't know how he had managed to force such a thing but he would not let it stop him. If anything it made him more determined to have her. 

Bryce with the new determination sprinted on towards his pack lands. Once there he would meet with his advisors to come up with a plan. Enjoy her now, he thought. It wouldn't be long before his mate was returned to him.