Marked

Lydia

A dull ache throbbed in my head, pounding against my skull like a cruel reminder of something I couldn't grasp. My body felt heavy, wrapped in warmth, yet there was an odd disconnect—like I had been dropped into the middle of a story with missing pages.

I shifted slightly, the familiar scent of cedarwood surrounding me. It was grounding, comforting. The sheets beneath me were soft, the air carrying a faint trace of cinnamon. Right, I knew this place.

Theo's room.

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, streaking golden lines across the dark walls and polished furniture. I had woken up here countless times before, yet today, it felt foreign.

Then, voices reached my ears, low and urgent.

"She's marked, Theo! Are you blind to that?" Scarlet's voice was sharp, edged with frustration.

"I don't care." Theo's reply was clipped, almost dismissive.

That single sentence, spoken with quiet steel, made my eyes flutter open. My brows knitted together as I turned my head slightly, the effort making my skull throb. I let out a small groan, pressing my palm against my forehead, trying to blink away the dizziness. My limbs felt heavy, and my skin tingled, like something foreign had settled into my very bones.

"Marked?" My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. "Are you guys talking about me?"

The argument stopped instantly.

Theo's head snapped toward me, his eyes widening before relief softened his sharp features. Within seconds, he was at my side, his hands pressing gently against my shoulders, steadying me.

"Lydia, you're awake," he murmured, voice filled with something I couldn't quite place.

His golden-brown eyes roamed over my face, his brows drawn together like he was searching for something—something that wasn't there.

I winced, pressing a hand against my forehead, the pain sharpening. Everything felt strange, like a puzzle with missing pieces.

"You scared the hell out of me, Dia," he murmured, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. "Why didn't you rest longer? You shouldn't push yourself."

His voice was soft, but I could hear the tension woven beneath his concern.

I turned my head slightly, finding Scarlet standing a few steps away. Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable, but something simmered beneath the surface.

"What were you two arguing about?" My voice was hoarse, the dryness scraping my throat.

Scarlet scoffed. "You don't even realize, do you?"

My brows furrowed. "Realize what?"

Theo shot her a sharp look before turning back to me, his fingers tightening briefly against my shoulder. "It's nothing you need to worry about right now."

Scarlet let out a bitter laugh. "Right. Of course." The look she gave him was almost accusatory.

Theo didn't mind her and turned back to me, his gaze softening. "How do you feel?"

"I feel like shit." I winced, pressing my fingers against my temple. "Like I got run over by a truck and then thrown into a bonfire."

He let out a low chuckle, but it didn't reach his eyes.

Scarlet scoffed, "You two are unbelievable," she muttered before stormed out of the room, leaving behind a tense silence.

I frowned after her. "What's her problem?"

Theo exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "She's just being Scarlet. You know how she is."

I wasn't sure I did. Not this time.

Shaking off the uneasy feeling settling in my chest, I moved to sit up, only to wince as soreness flared through my body. A dull ache pulsed through my limbs, but the sharpest sting came from my neck.

Instinctively, I lifted a hand to touch it, but Theo's fingers closed gently around my wrist before I could.

Sure! Here's the revised version with smoother flow, clearer emotions, and logical consistency: 

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"Don't," he said, his grip firm yet careful. "It's going to be painful for a while." 

Painful? Right. Of course, I must have been marked—nothing else could explain the hickeys and the soreness in my body. 

The thought barely settled before a sharp pain lanced through my skull, sudden and unforgiving. I sucked in a breath, pressing my fingers against my temples as fragmented images flickered at the edges of my mind. Blurred, slipping through my grasp like water. 

Theo tensed beside me, his hand steadying me, his fingers tightening slightly. 

"Theo…" My voice barely rose above a whisper. "I don't remember anything." 

Silence stretched between us, heavy and unspoken. His grip on my shoulder tightened, his jaw clenching as if he were bracing himself.

"Then maybe it's better that way," he finally said, his voice calm but unwavering.

A strange chill crawled up my spine.

"What do you mean?" I asked, searching his face.

"If your mind buried it, maybe it wasn't worth remembering in the first place. Don't force it."

His words should have reassured me. They didn't.

I clenched my fists, a quiet panic curling in my stomach. Something had happened last night. Something I couldn't remember.

And Theo wasn't telling me everything.

I exhaled shakily, reaching for his hand, desperate for something solid. "What… happened?" 

"You passed out," Theo said, his gaze steady, controlled. 

That much I could piece together. I remembered the party. I remembered the heat—my body burning, the unbearable need clawing at my skin. I remembered running, the scent of wolves surrounding me. Theo rescuing me. 

But after that… nothing. 

"I never realized someone could pass out while…" His voice trailed off for a second before he cleared his throat. "For a moment, you scared me. I'm sorry, Dia. I should have been more careful. I won't be so rough next time." 

My breath hitched. Heat rushed to my face, creeping down my neck. My stomach twisted, and I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing the ground would swallow me whole. Oh no.

I passed out? In the middle of it?

I wanted to bury myself under the covers and never come out. My fingers clutched at the sheets as mortification sank in. How was I supposed to look him in the eye after this?

Theo was watching me, his expression unreadable, but I refused to meet his gaze. My mind scrambled for a response—any response—but all I could do was groan softly and press my hands against my burning face.

He let out a low chuckle. "You're thinking too much again."

I peeked at him between my fingers, my face still burning. "How can I not?" I muttered.

His lips twitched like he was holding back laughter, but thankfully, he didn't.

Peeking at him, I asked, "Did you bring me here?" my voice hoarse, desperate to change the subject.

Theo didn't hesitate. "Of course. Do you think I'd let anyone else touch my mate?" 

His words were firm, possessive.

Heat crept up my cheeks again, making my face turn beetroot.

Before I could press him further, he exhaled and reached for something on the nightstand. A small packet.

My breath caught when I read the label.

An aftermath pill.

Theo pressed it into my palm, his fingers lingering over mine, his warmth seeping into my skin.

"You should take it, just in case," he said gently.

I looked up at him, searching for something—anything—in his expression. Everything felt superficial, and I am having my doubts.

"Theo…" My voice wavered. "What are you hiding from me?"

His thumb brushed over my knuckles, a soothing gesture, but it didn't settle the unease curling inside me.

"Rest assured, Dia," he murmured. "You know we're not ready for the consequences of last night. We have our whole lives ahead of us. We should be able to live first—see the world, enjoy it. Then settle down, have a family. A big one. You and me, taking care of them and our pack."

His words were meant to comfort me, and in some ways, they did.

This had always been our dream.

Since we were kids, we had whispered about the future—how we'd explore the world beyond the pack's borders, how we'd build something great before settling down. So of course, we needed to be careful. We couldn't afford reckless mistakes. Besides, I was only nineteen, and Theo was twenty-one. We were still standing at the beginning of everything.

His gaze softened as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

" It's just a precaution, Dia. Besides, there's so much we still have to do. You have your dream, and I have a position to inherit which holds many responsibilities, so let's take things slowly, "he said.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. He wasn't wrong.

A small, tired smile tugged at my lips. "Yeah. You're right."

"Drink," he urged, handing me a glass of water. Our fingers brushed again, the touch lingering.

I swallowed the pill with slow sips, feeling the cool liquid soothe my dry throat.

"You need rest," Theo said, his voice softer now. "I'll make you something for the headache."

He stood up, but I caught his wrist before he could leave. "Before that… can you make up with Scarlet? I can tell it's not just her overreacting this time."

Theo sighed, running the other hand through his hair. "Don't worry about Scarlet. She's just upset that you got marked before she could. You know how childish she is."

I let out a breathy chuckle, but something gnawed at the back of my mind.

Scarlet wasn't childish. Not like that.

And then there was the headache. The gaps in my memory. The way Theo was being careful—too careful.

He left the room, and I let my head fall back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling.

I should have asked more questions. Should have pressed him harder.

But the exhaustion settled over me like a heavy blanket, dragging me under before I could make sense of the doubts clawing at the edges of my mind.