Mark Outta The Bag

Chapter 06

Aurora's POV 

The next couple of days were awkward and problematic but kind of nice. 

I started working at Kaelen’s security company as a tracker and profiler. The pay was actually really good, and for the first time in a long time I felt like I had some kind of purpose. 

Kaelen was still his usual annoying self though. He kept calling me “little duckling” just to piss me off. 

He’d lean over my desk and make stupid comments about my typing or how I held my coffee. But he also listened when I gave him leads. It was annoying how good we worked together.

That morning we got into the elevator together for a brief meeting and he wouldn't stop staring down my blouse and wrist where I hid the mating mark beneath lots of bracelets and long sleeves. 

“Stop staring at me,” I muttered.  

“Why do you always wear these ugly long sleeves, anyways? What are you hiding?" 

"That's not your business, stop staring!” 

“I’m not staring. I’m just wondering how someone so small can be so annoying and curvy,” he said with that smirk.  

“You’re the annoying one!” I shot back. 

The elevator dinged and he stepped out before we could keep arguing. 

I stomped after him, still seething. But just as I got to the corner by his office, I bumped into the wall and staggered, my almost stumbling into the metal bookshelf. 

Before I could land flat on the tiled floor, I felt strong arms wrap around me from behind. 

"Ohh," I exhaled, shocked at his speed. 

He held me for a second, staring into my face. Then he lifted me gently and then grabbed my bag from the floor, packing up my files. "Are you sure you're fine? You could go home if you're not feeling too well." 

There was no chance in hell I was missing today's job. "I'm okay, just missed my step." 

He looked at me with a frown but then nodded and waited until I walked forward. 

We got into the meeting room and Kaelen started explaining the plan for the day. He had to go check out some lead but he wanted me to stay in the office.  

“No way,” I argued. “I’m needed out there. I have information that can help—”  

He cut me off. “I said no. It’s too dangerous, I don't want you to get hurt.”  

My heart skipped, looking into his eyes and seeing how protective he was of me, even after all these years. I hated him for being so frustrating and perfect! 

I wanted to argue when one of the security guys rushed into the office. “Boss, I just got an anonymous tip, one of the cartel members has been spotted downtown. He’s trying to lead a group of young werewolves into a van, looks like new recruits. The guy who called says he has more information if we meet him at a bar.”  

Kaelen hissed. “I have to go take care of it.”  

“I’m coming with you,” I said quickly.  

“No.”  

“I can help! I know more about the cartel than anyone here, I've been studying them for years, plus, I know their newest hideout—”  

“Where is it?" 

“i won't tell you unless you take me," I folded my arms. 

He stared at me for a second, then cursed under his breath. “Fine. But you stay in the car.”  

I nodded excitedly and we rushed out and got into his truck. 

We drove to the small bar the tip had mentioned and immediately, Kaelen told me to wait in the truck.  

“I’m not staying here,” I said and stubbornly followed him inside anyway.  

The place was dim and smelled like cheap beer and just as we entered, I spotted the man we were likely meeting, he was wearing a hood, sitting in the back corner.

He looked nervous.  

“Stay close to me," Kaelen said and grabbed my hands in his larger ones as we stepped in but I already pointed at the man. 

“I bet that's him," I said. 

Kaelen froze and arched his brow. “How?" 

“That's my job, I know things." 

Kaelen huffed but walked to the man by the corner. 

“You Kaelen?” the man asked.  

“Yeah. You said you have information.”  

The man looked around nervously. “I need a drink to calm my nerves.” 

Kaelen nodded and ordered shots for all of us. 

Kaelen, wanting to get as much information as quickly as possible, emptied his glass and slammed it on the table. “I’m listening.”  

All through, I was ready to write down with my notepad. I didn’t get to touch my own glass.  

The man looked around. “I’ve been following the cartel and I think they’re about to recruit my son. I’m risking my life telling you this.” He slid a piece of paper across the table with an address. “They’ll be meeting there in the evening.”  

Kaelen nodded and grabbed my hands, standing. “I’ll get your son back, I promise.”  

When we got back into the car, I noticed a black car following us.  

“Kaelen…” I said. “I think someone’s following us.” 

“I see them.” He cursed and sped up but the car behind us did the same. “I think this was a trap." 

“What?!" 

“Yes, that car followed us from the bar. I think the anonymous tip was sent by the cartel, they wanted to ambush us," he groaned and looked at me, “I think he put something in my drink.

"Oh lord,” I went pale, "And you emptied the glass!”

"How was I supposed to know he drugged it?” Kaelen coughed but he was already sounding sleepy.  

“Oh my god, are we going to die?” I grabbed the seat, heart racing.  

“Relax. I’ve got this. I won't let anything hurt you," He said calmly, "do you trust me?" 

Looking deep into his eyes, I nodded. Yes, I trusted Kaelen Steele. Just like I had many years ago when I ran to him to take my virginity.

"I trust you," I mumbled fearfully. 

Just as I said those words, he swerved down a side road, driving like a maniac.  

I looked behind and we'd lost the SUV following us for a second, but suddenly Kaelen lost control. 

The truck hit something hard on the road and everything spun. 

“Little duckling?" 

I heard him calling me as the airbags popped out and I stumbled out of the car. 

The drug must have started kicking in because he could barely speak up. 

Quickly, I helped him out of the car, “Kaelen, what do we do?" 

“Safe house cabin,” he slurred, pointing toward the woods. “My company has one, the key’s in my pocket.”  

I found the key and helped him walk through the trees until we reached a small wooden cabin. 

I unlocked the door and got him inside. He was heavy and pulled me down with him as I laid him on the bed.   

“Lay down, duckling,” he said roughly. “They might still be out there.”  

Then he grabbed my face and tucked a strange behind my hair. "You look flushed, does anywhere hurt?" 

I shook my head and pulled away, "No, I'm fine." 

“What’s this place?” I asked.  

“Safe house cabin. We’ll stay here until backup comes.”  

“Are you okay?” I asked worriedly. 

"I'm fine, I'm used to these things but you're so delicate and small and you shouldn't have followed me!” 

“I wanted to help,” I said softly. “I’ve never had a chance to do anything I loved and I can't just let my life end because...”  

I got emotional and before I knew it, tears were falling. Kaelen pulled me gently into his arms. “Hey… it’s okay, I'm sorry I yelled at you.”  

He wiped my tears with his thumb and then touched my lips hungrily. 

“I want to kiss you, Aurora,” he said hoarsely. 

Before I could answer, he leaned in and kissed me possessively. 

I pulled away, breathless and panting. 

"It's the drugs," I muttered, looking at his foggy eyes. 

But he didn't stop, his hands grabbed my face again and those blue eyes seemed to stare deep into my soul. "You're so beautiful, ugly duckling." 

Me? Beautiful? I knew Gina was way more pretty than I could ever be. 

I was extra curvy and he'd always called me ugly duckling since I was a kid. 

“Stop this, Kaelen, I think the drugs are getting to you," I muttered, looking down, “and you're my sister's boyfriend." 

“Don’t worry about Gina. It's you I want. Tell me…to stop,” he whispered against my lips. “And I will.”  

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. My heart was racing too fast.  

He smiled drunkenly. “I’ll take that as a yes.”  

“Please," I moaned helplessly. 

"Tell me what you want…say it,” he urged against my skin, now kissing my neck.  

"Kaelen, please…" I cried out, unable to help myself. 

His lips felt like fire on my skin, his scent was so strong but I felt like I was drowning without his touch. My whole body was on fire at the memory of his passionate fucking.  

He smirked and pulled off his shirt, looking at me with that predatory smile as he picked up my hands and pinned them above my head. 

“Be a good little girl… don't move…and maybe I'll make you come again." 

He groaned drunkenly and removed his hands from my wrist. Then he froze, staring at my wrist. 

He suddenly pulled back, his face cold. 

“Kaelen?" I breathed, dazed and confused.

Then I saw that he was looking at my wrist. My Mating Mark.