Chapter 7 His mark dissappeared

• When Godiva woke up in the morning, everywhere was quiet. The room smelled like Rock but he wasn't there. She realized that she didn't know what he did and went to search for Xena concerning him. It was strange how fast things had changed in her life from the depressing death of her father to being chased by Alphas and finally being marked by the man she hated all in one day. Werewolves were naturally stronger than humans. That strength carried her quite well.
• It was in the wee hours of the morning therefore, she guessed Xena hadn't left for school yet. Stepping on the corridor, she diverted from going to Xena's room to the direction of a delicious aroma, leading her to the kitchen. Could it be Xena or Steel cooking? Godiva least expected what met her eyes, making them pop in shock and admiration.
• Carrying a vibe that made him look like a professional chef except for his outrageously cold demeanour was Rock making breakfast. She wished he could smile a little and express himself a little more. But she admired his culinary skills before wondering where Steel and Xena were. Somehow, she felt shy facing him after what happened last night. It was the most intimate time of her life. He was hers now and the mark was proof of it. She had to forget that she would be with anyone else but him yet somehow, it felt strange. Maybe she wasn't ready for all this.
• Not wanting him to think she was stalking, she tried to sneak away. But she wasn't fast enough. Just as she turned around and before taking a step, his voice sounded behind her. "Help?" She froze to a stupor. He was acting like a pro a while ago and definitely didn't need her help or maybe not.
• She turned abruptly, seeing the bacon, eggs, toast and baked beans, which had been cooked to perfection in his hand on a tray, stretched towards her. The meaning was sinking in. Perhaps, she could get used to this - decoding his short words. He meant her setting the table. "Of course," she said, taking the large tray from him.
• Before she turned around, his eyes caught sight of her neck. He held her in position by the waist, his eyes trained on her neck, suddenly darkening. Without a word, he stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Godiva speechless. She wanted to run after him to ask why but feared the darkness in his eyes. Why was he like this? Why couldn't they learn to coexist just a little without him being upset? Godiva was deflated. Perhaps it wasn't enough bearing his mark and it just won't be easy to make him a likeable person.
• Xena had just arrived, all sweaty and one could tell that she went jogging. Godiva forced a smile to meet her excitement. She liked Xena but she was still young and Godiva couldn't open up about everything to her just like that. Maybe the best person might be Steel but she was eager to hear Xena's blabbering,
• "Guess what, I skipped school today to keep you company," she announced while taking the tray from Godiva and heading to the dining room.
• Godiva wasn't exactly happy with her decision. She loved school and didn't want that sacrifice. She wouldn't do that if she was in Xena's shoes. Following Xena, she spoke, "You shouldn't have."
• Xena ignored her ingratitude. She felt that Godiva was just trying to be modest. However, the food looked so appetizing like those made by Rock but a little over the top this time. Since Rock wasn't around, she asked, "You cooked?"
• "No, your brother did. He just left the kitchen before you arrived. He seemed upset," Godiva divulged. Somehow, the words slipped before she could stop it and she hoped she could get something out of Xena as a form of explanation. She needed help to crack Rock's moods and Xena's face had instantly been lined with an unattractive frown. Godiva hoped it wouldn't be as bad as Xena's face looked.
• "Did you challenge him or anything?" She asked Godiva. Xena knew that Rock's mood swings were terrible but Godiva was so sweet so what could warrant it? Usually, it was only notorious werewolves who had to face it.
• "No, he said I should help him and gave the tray to me. Then he stared at my neck, got upset and stormed out," Godiva explained the best she could. Xena had lived with Rock all her life. She should most definitely understand his ways of doing things.
• "Your neck?" Xena stepped closer, examining her neck. Her lone frown was deeper when she saw Godiva's smooth neck. "He didn't mark you?" She asked perplexed, knowing that Rock wanted nothing more than marking Godiva.
• "He did," Godiva confirmed. Now she was getting more confused with a great understanding that something was terribly wrong.
• Xena was getting confused. "But you don't carry his scent and there's no mark on your neck," she revealed to Godiva's utmost shock. Her mind began winding in a series of bends and curves. It was unheard of but she had to seek further explanation.
• "What? Do marks disappear?" She asked in a curious daze.
• Xena sat on the dining chair to think. "None that I've seen or heard of. I think that's the reason he's so upset. His mark disappeared on your neck," Xena explained. She could understand that Rock was helpless in a situation like this. Most probably, he had no solution.
• "His mark disappeared," Godiva kept repeating to herself. "Is it because I'm not his destined mate?" She asked Xena. What other explanation could she attach to it? Marks never disappeared, destined mate or not. A mark was a mark, only erased after a rejection. No one had rejected the other person so what was going on here?
• Xena was at a loss too. Some people never met their destined mates, marking their second chance mates. Whereas, Rock had confirmed that she was his destined mate so what explanation could she give? "I will be honest with you Godiva, I don't know." From how strangely and helpless Godiva looked, Xena casually picked a slice of bacon, "here, let's eat some of these slices of bacon and leave Rock to find out the reason for this okay?"
• Godiva sat in front of her at the dining table but didn't touch the food. Xena had answered her question. Only Rock could give her an answer therefore she had to hold it in till she saw him but would she be able to face him? "Okay, what about school? I don't want to miss it for anything," she declared.
• Xena was startled. No one had told Godiva about Rock's decision but between school and the mark, it was better talking about the school. "I spoke to Rock about it but he said we have to first solve the problem with the Alphas, which means we have to lie low for now," she said carefully but Godiva wasn't taking it kindly. Her face instantly turned red with anger.
• "He can't do this to me," she fumed. Her only hope was education. Her freedom to be mated to her destined match had been taken away. She was also separated from her sisters, not knowing their whereabouts. School was her only hope. Her only refuge from all these. Xena was relatable. She understood Godiva perfectly but also understood Rock's reason. "It's for your safety, Godiva," she tried to explain but Godiva was proving rather difficult.
• "I want to see him," she steamed.
• Xena was powerless. "Let's eat first," she said through mouthfuls but Godiva refused to cool off.
• "No, I want to see him now," she insisted.
• Xena paused as if searching for a way to break bad news. "Godiva, no one is allowed in the gym when they are training. Rock doesn't take it kindly to being disobeyed," Xena said as gently as she could. A lot of sacrifices came with the training and the least they could get was concentration. Most of the fighters worked and schooled away from the pack but made themselves available in the wee hours of the morning for training. They applied the same dedication when misunderstanding broke through. Their loyalty was always with their pack but it was very difficult for Godiva to comprehend.
• "You won't show me, I will just find that gym on my own then," she announced, excusing herself from the dining table.