And One More Makes Four

"Fate…? I don't understand," the woman replied as she looked down at her fingers fidgeting with the tarp just before she let go and let it fall and sat on the floor as well.

Selina, now cross-legged on the floor, watched the interaction with interest. She swore she saw a flicker of longing in Kurt's eyes as he responded to that single word. The disheveled young woman's face started to turn pink just before her eyes looked down at her hands...

"Um, what can we call you? I assume you have a name," Selina asked warmly. When there was no response, Selina said "Are you hungry, thirty? I'm sure Liam has something in his backpack."

There was a rustling sound as Liam rummaged around and pulled a bottle of water and packaged jerky from his bag. Within seconds, Kurt jogged over to Liam and offered them to his timid mate. He waited a moment, before placing the items within her reach and stepped back before sitting down again.

Marina shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of her neck, glancing at Kurt again before whispering her name, "Marina, my name is Marina…". The flame-orange strands of her hair caught the flickering light, glowing like wildfire.

"Nice to meet you, Marina!" Selina said, giving her a quick friendly wave. "Do you know what this place is or what happened here?" She inquired.

"I'm not sure, I, it's not safe," Marina replied, taking a deep breath while her amber eyes closed. "I just… I need to feel safe for once."

"Safe?" repeated Selina. "Of course you're safe with us. Marina, look at me. Look at Kurt. Now look at Liam." Selina instructed as Marina's eyes took in each person, before returning to Selina's face again. "Now, what did you feel when you looked at us? Do we look dangerous?".

With a reluctant sigh, Marina leaned against the wall, her thin frame pressed into the peeling paint. "Warmth, when I look at you, I feel warmth." Marina paused and looked at Kurt again, her slight blush returning.

" Yesterday, maybe 2 days ago, Valentino destroyed my father's lab," her voice trembled, she clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms. "He was looking for something, I think. Something my father has been hiding. He's, He's dangerous…" Marina trailed off and looked back at Selina.

"Alpha Valentino? Valentino's dangerous?," Selina muttered, raising an eyebrow. Her mind racing.

"He's… complicated. Powerful. He thinks he can just—" Marina hesitated, the fear flashing across her face. "I don't want to drag anyone else into this."

"Wait, Valentino's dangerous? I thought…" Kurt said as he looked at Selina and left the question unsaid.

Marina's breath hitched. "No. My father. My father is dangerous." She froze, and a gasp escaped her lips as she frantically stood up and moved towards Selina.

"He's coming back. You need to go. If he finds you… no, just go, GO NOW." Marina shouted as she attempted to pull Selina up t her feet. "Hurry, before he comes back." She pleaded.

Selina rose to her feet, followed by Liam and Kurt. Feeling the need to comfort Marina, Kurt walked up to her and rested his hand on her shoulder. Marina immediately began to relax. The warmth from his hand traveled over her body and caressed her like the warm summer sun. She gently leaned into his touch and sighed.

Now calmer, Marina continued, "I can't explain. You just can't be here when my father returns. If he finds you here…", she paused and shuddered. "Please go," Marina pleaded. Her thoughts returned to the feel of Kurt's hand on her. It was on her shirt and yet, it felt amazing. She wondered what it would feel if he were to touch her skin.

Despite her desire to stand right there and bask in the warmth of Kurt's touch, Marina had to make sure they were safe. She rid herself of the distraction by walking away from him and grabbing the snack Selina had given her.

"You really need to go. Now. Follow me," Marina hesitantly instructed them, feeling lost without Kurt's calming touch. She kept walking, hoping they would follow her out to the door.

"She's right, we need to go," Liam announced from behind them. "We have somewhere we need to be."

"We do," Selina agreed, "but we can't leave until the storm ends."

"We're already soaked," Liam smirked, "what's a little more rain?" he said picking up his backpack and leaving the room.

"It's just a… a feeling. We need to wait."

Kurt's eyes lit up as he followed Marina out of the room. "Waiting sounds good to me."

As they approached the heavy metal door, Selina and Liam sat down. Kurt invited Marina to sit next to him while they waited. He wanted a chance to get close to her again.

Marina froze, torn between her desperate need to get them to safety and the inexplicable pull she felt towards Kurt. She glanced back at him, her amber eyes conflicted.

"You don't understand," she hissed, her voice low and urgent. "My father, he's not... he's dangerous, he's ruthless. If he finds you here, it'll be a bloodbath."

"Thank you for the concern, Marina. I am confident we will be safer here than out there until the storm passes. Sit, let's talk," Selina replied.

Kurt reached up and grabbed Marina's hand. The instant their skin touched, pleasurable, comforting tingles erupted. Kurt wanted her as much as she wanted him. Marina could see it in his eyes. Her resolve to get them out and safe, weakened.

Marina sat next to Kurt as Selina turned towards her. As her indigo eyes locked on Marina's face she spoke "We can help you," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You don't have to face him alone."

Marina shook her head violently, her fiery hair whipping around her face. "No, you can't. You don't know what he's capable of. What I've seen him do, I," Marina sighed deeply as Kurt wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Trust us, trust Selina," he whispered in her ear as he pulled her closer.

Selina reached and gave Marina's hand a reassuring squeeze. Instantly the fear and terror vanished and was replaced with something new. For the first time in her memory, Marina felt safe, even hopeful.