Chapter 99: The Mark and The Magic

Trixy POV

I stirred, stretching like a cat after waking from our afternoon nap. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, the movement causing a slight twinge at the base of my neck. That made my eyes grow wide, and I quickly scanned the room. It was not my apartment or the room from the hotel, but that wasn’t important. Spying a mirror, I sprang to it, the large shirt flapping around my hips.

I cocked my head and peered at the large mark on my neck, a tattoo with a pattern similar to the one my brother and I shared around it. My mate mark. A sign to all that I was a claimed woman, and I never felt happier than I did in that moment.

A squeal escaped my lips, and I danced, never taking my eyes off my mark. I didn’t know what possessed Sam to mark me, but I was not complaining. Taking a deep breath, I wondered where he was, as I was sure that I was in his room. With one final look, I turned, ready to explore my environment.

I noticed my bags in a corner and smiled, knowing that Bruno had probably gone home to get our stuff once I confided that I had found my mate. I opened doors, first finding the closet and then the bathroom, where I decided to take a shower. I opened my suitcase, finding one of the few dresses I owned, a white dress with purple flowers that matched the purple streak in my hair. I paused, hating to take off Sam’s shirt, but comforted myself with the fact that I now have unlimited access to his wardrobe.

I took it off, burying my face in it when the door opened and Sam stepped in, catching me in all my luscious glory. Immediately, his member stood at attention, but his mind wondered if I was okay.

He walked towards me while I turned, covering myself, a shy feeling filling me. I wondered why, when memories of my wanton behavior flashed through my mind, yet seeing him now made me bashful.

Sam sensed my feelings and thought I was the cutest thing in the world. He stepped up behind me, brushing his erection against my bare ass, smiling as I jumped at his touch. He leaned in, a mischievous smile on his lips as he whispered, "How are you feeling, my lovely mate?"

I swallowed, his husky voice dripping over me like honeyed whiskey, making me clamp my legs together. I swallowed again before a tiny "fine" slipped past my lips.

Sam smiled, but his wolf wondered if my body was alright, and of course, he wanted to know about the marking on his hands. He gently turned me and, placing a finger under my chin, tilted my face up to meet his. His eyes roamed over my face and neck, a smile forming when his gaze landed on his mark. His wolf puffed up his chest in pride, knowing now that I fully belonged to him.

He leaned forward and kissed me on my forehead before gently leaning his head on mine. He breathed in my scent, delighting in the hint of his unique fragrance mingled with mine, but this was also for a different reason. He breathed in slowly and deeply, and soon my breathing matched his.

When he knew I was calm enough, he wrapped his arms around me.

I hugged him back just as tightly, not sure why I almost had a panic attack, but his scent calmed me, and the feeling of being in his arms made me feel safe. Sam held me until I totally relaxed, and when I did, he gently rubbed his chin on the top of my head.

He pulled away slightly, and with a tilt, he gestured towards the shower. "You get clean, and I’ll order some food. When we’re done, I have a few questions, and I know you do too."

I nodded and grabbed my clothes. Sam stifled a groan as my pert little backside disappeared behind the door, soon followed by the sound of the shower.

He quickly linked Bradley to ask him for an hour or two as he and his mate talked. He was sure that his presence was not immediately needed as he’d just returned from their briefing. Martha was tasked with finding a new hotel while the investigation of his Alpha’s attack was still ongoing. It seemed that Sammy did a great job at keeping things in order, and Sam could tell that the soldiers who stayed back did not shirk on their training.

As he thought of the conversation he was about to have, he decided to get out of the current outfit and put on something more comfortable. He figured that after they had breakfast and talked, maybe I would be up for a walk, so he could show me my new home.

Soon, the meal arrived, and he took the tray, placing it on the small table surrounded by two chairs near the window.

Sam POV

The bathroom door opened, and Trixy stepped out, steam causing the ends of her hair to curl. The dress fit her perfectly, and I felt my heart soften. I stretched out my hand, and she stepped forward to take it, some of the spark back in her eyes.

I pulled her towards me, raising her hand so I could place a kiss on the back of it. "Milady, breakfast is served," I said with a flourish, my sweeping gesture encompassing the simple meal of toast, eggs, bacon, fruit, coffee and juice before us.

I urged her forward, and after ensuring that she was comfortable, I sat down, dishing out our meal. We ate in silence, occasionally glancing at each other with soft smiles.

When the meal was finished, I wiped at the few crumbs on my lips, took one last sip of coffee and looked at my mate. "So, let’s talk. First question: How are you feeling? I mean both your body and your mind."

Trixy closed her eyes, inhaling as she tapped into her physical as well as her emotions, all of which are tied to her powers. It was strange, but aside from the obvious soreness in a particular area, she felt better than before. It was like her powers grew and became even more stable without the months of training she usually has to do. She felt like her body had become stronger as well.

Opening her eyes, she looked at me, a warm glow in her gaze. Her hand drifted up to caress my mark, and she blushed as those memories flooded her again. "I feel fine, actually better than fine. I feel like everything is in its place, and I’ve finally found my home. I never thought I would feel like that since Bruno and I left."

I held her other hand, gently squeezing. "I feel the same. It’s like I now know the true meaning of home and happiness." I laid my hand on my chest. "In here, it’s like there’s a calmness, a sense of belonging I never even knew was missing, and every time I think or look at you, it grows just a little, like stronger, more sure. It makes me feel strong and weak at the same time. It’s weird, but I like it."

Trixy squeezed my hand, and the two shared a smile.

"Okay, second question: after I marked you, there was this bright light, and these tattoos appeared on my wrists." I stretched out both hands and turned them so she could see the markings.

Trixy sat up and, taking first one hand, then the other, she observed them carefully. "OMG! I wasn’t sure if I would have been able to mark you. I know when wolves mark a human, it’s usually a one-way thing, but it seems that my powers, my essence, responded to your claim and did it in return."

The awe in her voice intrigued me. I leaned forward, wanting to know everything about this woman in front of me. "So this is not normal where you came from?"

She shrugged. "It happens sometimes since in my realm, you are usually mated to your own kind. We usually do a ceremony where the priest bonds the couple, which results in a tiny bond mark, but no one has ever marked their spouse using their powers. This is unreal, and I need to do some research on it, but how are you? Does the mark hurt or sting?"

I shook my head. "Nope. It felt hot, but my whole body was like that, but now, these marks feel like they were supposed to be here, a symbol chaining me to you, and I could not ask for a better prison sentence."

Trixy pouted, throwing her napkin at me, making me laugh, a feeling of freedom in my heart like never before.

Still chuckling, I stood up, reaching out for her. "Come on, let me take you to your brother and show you around."

She glanced back at the dishes on the table, used to cleaning up after meals. I just kissed her temple. "Don’t worry, hun, the staff will do that. There’s going to be a lot you may have to get used to, living in a pack and being mated to the Beta."

Trixy slumped her shoulders. She knew I was right, but she had no intention of making things harder for others if she could avoid it.

Trixy POV

As we made our way to the guest wing where Bruno was stationed, Sam spoke, "I’ll take you to the library later."

I looked at him, confused. "Is there a book about being mated to the Beta?"

Sam shook his head. "You said you’d have to do research concerning my mark. I thought it might have something there that could help."

I smiled and patted the arm that was possessively around my waist. "No, silly, I’ll look through my family’s ancient texts." Glancing around to ensure we were alone, I waved my hand, and a small portal opened in front of me. Sam leaned down and peered in, amazed to find shelves of books that looked older than the dinosaurs yet somehow in peak condition within.

"Shit, that’s crazy amazing." He looked at his mate, the realisation that I was way more than he would or could ever think, hitting him straight in the chest.

I pulled out a book. "This is our family library. It contains the knowledge of everything shifter-related since the first recordings. I don’t know how it is maintained or new knowledge is added, but once the powers awaken in our family and our roles are given, the things we can do are revealed, and we are taught how to master it."

I returned the book, and we resumed walking. "When my brother and I left the other realm, I thought we would be lost, but there were books for situations like ours, and we basically taught ourselves. Although I’m sure that if we had our elders, it would have been a shorter journey. I used to be mad, but now, I know why." I paused and looked up at him, a happy smile on my face. "It all led me to you."

Sam leaned down and kissed me so tenderly that when we broke apart, there were tears in both our eyes. He cupped my cheek. "I am glad that it did, my love."

Bruno cleared his throat, breaking the tender moment. "All right, all right, lovebirds, break it up. You’re gonna make me sick or held in detention for breaking somebody’s nose."

I pulled back and, with a squeal, she lunged at her brother. The two embraced, and the silent language of twins began with small head gestures and sounds that can’t be described. He gave Sam the sink eye, looking him up and down, but when his eyes landed on the mate mark around his hands, his eyes grew wide before swinging back to my sister’s.

She gave a small nod, and her shy smile was all that he needed to know. Stepping around her, he headed to Sam, his steps sure. Sam tensed, not sure if he should brace for a fight, but Bruno’s words made him smile.

"Welcome to the family, brother-in-law."