Mark of Mars

I woke up, snuggled against a warm body. I snuggled in closer, trying to hold onto the comforting sensation for as long as possible.

I knew any moment now, the automated lights in my apartment would flicker on, signaling the start of a new workday, just like they did in every other home.

Deciding to face the inevitable, I opened my eyes. As I stretched, I realized I was encased in a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist.

Looking up, I was greeted by a pair of bright emerald eyes, which instantly brought back the events of the previous day, sending me into a panic.

I arched my back and kicked my legs, trying to break free. But no matter how hard I struggled, he wouldn’t let go; my efforts only left me more drained.

Hearing a low, deep growl, I stopped my futile escape attempt and looked up. Through the tears welling in my eyes, I could see his strong, masculine face. He looked both angry and hurt.

“Stop, Fawn. Relax. Try to get some more rest and lay back down.”

Hearing him say my name in his deep, firm voice sent shivers down my spine. I zoned out for a moment, the submissive part of me taking over and doing as I was told.

Snapping out of it, I shook my head vehemently, pointing at the door, growing more frantic with each passing second.

“No, Fawn. You are not leaving. You'll be with me from now on. No more cleaning. Understood?”

I shook my head as fast as I could, almost straining my neck, and quickly raised my shaky hands to sign. “Please no! I need to go home. This isn’t right. There’s been a mistake. Let me go home, please! Don’t hurt me!”

Hearing growls louder than before, I pushed away harder. He firmly grabbed both of my small hands with one of his much larger ones, completely engulfing mine.

His hands were bigger than my head! His other hand gripped my jaw so that I couldn’t look away, making me squeeze my eyes shut.

“Open your eyes, mate!”

Doing as he asked, I looked up shakily, tears streaming down my face.

“No mistake, little one. You are mine. You were made for me just as I was made for you. Perfect in every way.”

He wiped away my tears with his large, rough hand, pulling me tightly against his chest, nuzzling his face into my neck and inhaling deeply. His satisfied growls left me frozen in place. I stayed completely still.

After what felt like an eternity, he scooped me up into his strong arms and stood up, walking towards the open bathroom door. I began to panic, pushing away from his chest as hard as I could.

“Shhh… It’s okay. We are just going to get you cleaned up, mate.”

“I’ll clean myself! Please, let me down!”

He placed me on the cold black marble counter and pointed at my maid’s uniform. “This is too short, little mate.”

He growled, ripping my uniform in half. The sound of buttons popping off and hitting the floor followed. His hands reached for his shirt, and he began to undress. My eyes widened.

Once he was down to his boxers, I jumped off the counter, running as fast as my small feet could carry me through the enormous bathroom.

But before I could even get near the large door, he grabbed me, placing me back onto the counter.

He let out a low growl, almost sounding excited. “Oh no, you don’t run, little mate, we can play chase later.”

He winked, smirking confidently as he ripped off his boxers. My eyes were instantly met with his thick length.

As I quickly looked down, my cheeks flushed. Hearing his deep chuckle, I saw his feet come into view on the marble floors.

“You can look all you want, little mate; no need to be shy. After all, I plan on memorizing every inch of what’s mine.”

I sobbed, throwing weak punches at his chest. Completely unfazed, he removed my bra and then my underwear, until I was completely bare.

His eyes roamed all over my body, seeming to soak in every detail.

“Perfect.”

He growled in approval, pushing my small body back onto the counter in one swift motion, making me jump from the cold.

He then forcefully spread my legs apart with little effort. Ignoring my frantic struggles, he stared down at my core.

Horrified, I tried to cover myself, but before I could, he held my hands above my head and dipped his head low, attaching his mouth to my core.

I gasped, throwing my head back and squeezing my eyes shut, as his tongue lapped at my clit and moved down to my opening, going in and out slowly. I was ashamed of my body for betraying me.

I’d never let any man touch me like this, let alone a Lycan. Just as I was starting to feel a sharp sensation build up inside me, he stopped, raising his head.

“Don’t ever hide from me, Fawn; we’re mates. I’m the only person who gets to see all of you.”

At this point, I was a crying mess, my long brown hair sticking to my flushed face as I began to hiccup, trying to inhale as much air as possible.

He moved the hair out of my face and kissed my neck. Picking me up gently, he walked over to the bath, setting me on his lap in the warm water.

Turning me around so that I was straddling him and our chests were touching, he softly grabbed my chin.

“Look at me, mate. I’m sorry little one, I needed to put my scent on what’s mine. It needed to be done to calm down my wolf, or I would’ve done a lot worse.”

I stayed silent, looking away at the surroundings, not wanting to respond. The entire bathroom was built of raw, rough black marble—the walls, the sink, and the enormous bathtub we were occupying.

That tub at the end of the large bathroom could easily fit ten people. I guess it made sense. Lycans needed larger tubs than humans. Much larger.

My thoughts were interrupted as he laid my head down on his chest. He started to slowly untie my braid. Grabbing a cup, he poured warm water down my back, wetting my hair.

I’d never experienced being cared for in such a way. It was a sensation I wasn’t familiar with. I’d always assumed that Lycans would dispose of a weak mate like me, especially an alpha king. But somehow, I felt treasured.

He started to wash my hair with what I guessed was his shampoo. The scent was woodsy and it made me relax in his warm embrace.

His large, rough hands gently applied body wash down my back, moving up and down the sides of my rib cage and then back up to my shoulder blades.

Just when I was starting to lose myself in the moment, he lifted me up and carefully turned me around so that my back was against his chest.

My heart began to race. I’d managed to calm down earlier when my private parts were hidden against his chest. But now, being so exposed, I was reminded of the reality of the situation.

“Shhh, little mate, you’re okay. Just relax.”

His hand moved across my chest, leaving a trail of soap suds on my breasts. Then, he gently washed between my legs. He was surprisingly gentle as he cleaned my soft folds.

I wasn’t expecting it when he slipped his thick finger inside me. I flinched and my hand shot down to his, gripping it tightly as a sharp pain filled me.

“You’re a virgin. That pleases me and my wolf greatly, mate.”

He probed a little further, then withdrew his finger. He took hold of my chin, turned my head to the side, and planted a hard kiss on my neck.

His eyes turned a brighter shade of green, glowing with desire. Seeing my tears, he stopped. He gently lifted me out of the tub and wrapped me in a large, fluffy black towel.

Carrying me as if I were his new bride, he walked to the bedroom. He set me down on the king-sized bed and began to dry me off.

I ran my hands over the plush comforter, appreciating its softness as he changed me into one of his large T-shirts and a pair of clean underwear.

I’d never been treated like this before. The only person who’d ever shown me any kind of familial care was Melissa, and that thought made me uneasy.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about how I didn’t deserve this special treatment, not when others like me were still suffering. And especially not when Melissa might be out there, cold, hungry, and alone.

What if I got used to being cared for, only to be rejected later? Why do I even care about that? What’s happening to me?

I didn’t realize I was crying until I felt the electricity from his touch. He picked me up and held me, gently rocking back and forth, rubbing my back softly.

“My sweet little girl, what’s upsetting you?” he asked tenderly, holding me slightly away from his chest so I could sign my response.

I hiccupped, taking a deep breath. “No one has ever cared for me this way. It scares me to think you’ll soon reject me for a stronger, more suitable Lycan mate.”

I was scared to continue, but I twisted his shirt in my hands for a moment before starting to sign again.

“And if I do stay, enjoying the benefits of this situation, I’m ignoring my own kind suffering out there as I did. I can’t do that.”

“Little Fawn, I—” I tapped him lightly on the thigh, signaling I wasn’t finished.

“I starved for days, finally having to eat my neighbor’s grass because I had gotten sick and couldn’t afford food anymore after getting medicines.

“Because of your people’s laws, I barely get enough money to live. Because you all hate us so much, you’ve been trying to kill us off. Because you hate what I am!”

He yelled, snapping me out of my breakdown, and grabbed my face. “That’s ENOUGH, Fawn!”

He seemed to be in pain looking down at me. “They are now your people too. They would die for you, their luna, and I will not tolerate you disrespecting them.”

He rubbed his hands down his face and sighed. “It pains me to hear what my mate has gone through and that I couldn’t help you then, but we’ve all been through trauma from this war, things you will learn more of later.

“Far too much for OUR people to ignore so soon. Fawn, baby, I would never, could ~NEVER~ reject you. I would die first before ever leaving you. You are my other half.

“As for the humans, we will talk more about this tomorrow. Though it makes me proud you care for your people so much, shows signs of a true luna.

“You can sleep well knowing I have already planned on making a few changes, for I feel we may finally be ready to move on from the past. Now please let me hold you without any struggles so we can sleep.”

Processing everything he had said, I quietly nodded in agreement, knowing it was probably the only way I’d be able to sleep in that new place anyway.

He pulled the blankets over us and then reached over, plopping me onto his chest and tucking my head into his warm neck.

Meandering my hands over his tattooed chest, I shakily raised my hands in front of his face to sign the question I’d been wanting to ask all day. “What is your name?”

He laughed his deep masculine laugh, making me blush in embarrassment.

After the deep conversation that we had and everything that had happened in the bathroom, not knowing his name made me feel immature and slightly cheap.

He raised my face out of its hiding spot in the crook of his neck and stared into my eyes with his glowing green gems.

“It slipped my mind mate, how rude of me!” He looked younger, smiling ear to ear as he laughed, easing my embarrassment.

“Alpha Night—alpha king of all the Lycanthrope packs. But to you mate, I’m Mars. You are ONLY to call me Mars.”

Nodding, I fell asleep on his chest to him rubbing circles on my back.