CHAPTER 117: MARKED BY ONE.

Note: Marking is different from claiming.

******

When evening came, Angela did not go to the cafeteria. She felt a little relieved knowing that two of her mates had forgiven her. Even though they had not spoken about their fight for claiming her in the future, she knew it was still progress.

Now what was left were Renn and Hiro. Both of them had opened up to her recently. Renn had shown her to his family without hesitation, and Hiro had trusted her with his deepest secrets. They must be feeling used and hurt, and it was her fault.

She could not let things remain like that. She could not stand her mates being angry with her. Their recent behavior was already making her weak and she feared it might affect her shift tomorrow. She needed to make peace with them. That was the only way she could feel whole again.

Angela rose from her bed. Kaito had gone to take a night class with the form three students, which gave her the chance she needed. She dressed up quickly and decided to meet Hiro first. When she got to the South House, she saw him standing at the gate with some of his pack members. They were in a discussion, but his face was not cheerful the way it used to be. She knew she was the reason behind that change.

Angela stayed quietly by the side, waiting until they were done. She did not want to interrupt them. When Hiro noticed her presence, he dismissed his pack members right away. Then he came toward her with a serious look on his face. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"What do you think I am doing here? Obviously I came to talk to you," Angela replied, her voice sharper than she intended. He always knew how to annoy her.

"About what? I don’t want to talk to you," Hiro said, shrugging his shoulder as if she was nothing.

"You have to listen to me. I know you are angry, and I came to apologize."

"Do not apologize," Hiro cut her off. He avoided her eyes as if meeting them would make him soften. "I mean it."

"It doesn’t matter if you want it or not. I will apologize anyway," she said firmly.

Hiro sighed, already tired of her stubbornness. He had no choice but to stay and listen. "Fine. Go ahead and say it."

"I am sorry, Hiro. I hurt you by keeping things from you," Angela said softly. Her eyes searched his face. He looked so innocent in that moment. His blue eyes lifted briefly to meet hers before turning away to the wall beside them. "I promise I will never do it again."

"Honestly, you won’t, because I will never give you the chance to," Hiro told her, his voice cold.

"You cannot cancel me, Hiro. You know we need each other," Angela whispered, her voice trembling. Deep down, she knew he had not forgotten that truth, even if anger made him pretend otherwise.

"I know about that and that’s what is killing me. Why you of all girls?" he asked with pain in his voice. "Do you know what I was planning to do when I met my fated mate? I was going to tie her up and take her to the caves."

"Then do it," Angela said, holding her hands out in front of him. Her bold offer shocked him, but her next words left him completely speechless. "If you want to claim my body like that...if you so desperate to have me, then do it."

"I... I can’t do that to you," Hiro whispered, lifting his eyes to her. The moment he looked at her beautiful face, his resolve shattered.

"I know. I was only joking," Angela laughed softly and gave his arm a playful slap. He smiled in return, his dimples appearing, and her heart warmed at the sight. She loved that boyish smile of his. "Keep smiling like that. You look so handsome."

"Really?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

"Yes. And I am sorry for causing you pain," Angela said with honesty.

"It’s fine. I will be okay," Hiro told her, though his voice was gentler than before. Angela did not wait for him to accept her apology. She opened her arms and hugged him tightly, closing her eyes as she pressed herself to him. He seemed surprised at first but did not push her away. "Hey, dear..." he murmured.

"I am so sorry," Angela whispered again, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes. She had never meant to hurt him like this.

"I understand now. I am no longer angry," Hiro said, finally wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. He kissed her forehead again and again as if to reassure her that he truly meant it.

"Thank you," Angela breathed, her heart easing as she stayed in his arms. She did not care who was watching. Let them think whatever they wanted. She was with her mate, and that was all that mattered. After a long while, she finally pulled back.

"We will talk more tomorrow," she said softly. "I have to go and apologize to Renn."

"Yeah, your boyfriend," Hiro muttered, reminding her of what he had heard.

"Don’t be jealous. He also deserves an apology, and I am not ashamed to give it. I will do everything it takes to fix the mess I created," Angela said firmly before turning to walk away. Hiro stood there watching her, silent. She was trying to make peace, giving love, affection, and attention to each of them. Maybe the goddess was not so foolish after all for making her their mate.

*****

Angela knocked on Renn’s door. She waited for a while before the door opened on its own even though no one had come to answer. Stepping inside, she found Samuel sitting at the desk with his laptop. He looked up, surprised to see her.

"Hey, welcome," he said with a smile.

Angela nodded, smiling back as her eyes moved around the room. There was no sign of Renn, and she wondered where he was. Before she could ask, the bathroom door creaked open.

He came out with water still glistening on his skin, a towel tied low around his waist. As soon as his eyes landed on her, his whole face lit up. "Angela!"

"Hi," she replied softly, trying not to let her gaze linger on his body. Memories of that day came rushing back, the way he had kissed and touched her in this very room. If Kaito had not knocked that time, she wondered how far things would have gone.

"My girl came visiting and you let her stand?" Renn teased as he walked over to Samuel and shut the laptop. "You’re going to excuse us now."

"Sure, bro, but she just got here and I also want to talk to her," Samuel said.

"No way. She came to see me, and you know the code. You’re leaving," Renn insisted. Samuel rolled his eyes but gave up, gathering his laptop and book.

Before walking out, he glanced at Angela. "What have you done to my roommate?"

Angela could only smile without answering. When Samuel left, Renn locked the door. She turned to him quickly, her voice low with guilt. "I came to tell you how sorry I am for putting you through everything. I didn’t mean to—"

Her words died as He closed the distance in two strides, towering over her, his hand gripping her chin firmly, forcing her to meet his burning gaze. "Mine," he growled against her lips before crushing his mouth on hers. His kiss was hot, rough, claiming her like he had been starving for too long. "How do you want me to celebrate this reconciliation? Crazy, wild, or should I handle you with care?"

"I want it crazy and wild," she blurted, not even realizing the weight of what she was saying.

The kiss deepened, raw and demanding, his tongue dominating every part of her mouth until she was left breathless. His other hand slid down her waist and grabbed her ass possessively through the fabric of her trousers.

With one swift pull, he dragged her against his bare chest, her soft body pressed against the hard planes of his muscles. The towel between them strained, and she could feel the hard thickness of his arousal grinding into her. She didn’t stop him. She didn’t want to.

His lips broke from hers, trailing fire down her jaw before sinking into the tender skin of her neck. He bit down, making her gasp and arch into him. "We’ve been apart for too long," he growled, his voice dark and rough, before lifting her into his arms like she weighed nothing. He threw her on the bed, his wolf burning in his eyes, a predator finally claiming what was his. "I was a fool for getting angry with you earlier."

Before she could catch her breath, he was already on top of her, straddling her hips, his hands tearing her shirt apart, buttons flying across the floor. Her wrap gave way under his strength, leaving her breasts bare for his hungry mouth. He latched onto one nipple, sucking hard and biting while his other hand squeezed the other until she moaned desperately under him. She writhed, her trousers the last barrier keeping him from all of her.

A deep growl rumbled from his chest as his fingers hooked into her waistband. With one brutal pull he ripped them away with her underwear, leaving her completely naked beneath him. She gasped at the sudden exposure, but his blazing eyes left no doubt that she belonged to him.

He spread her thighs wide and pinned them down as his fingers slid over her slick heat. She whimpered, embarrassed, but his growl cut through her protest. "You’re already dripping for me, Angel," he muttered darkly before sliding a thick finger inside her, stretching her tight walls.

"Renn," she cried out, clutching the sheets, her back arching as the unfamiliar but consuming pleasure tore through her.

"Yes, baby," he groaned, watching her squirm.

"Go deeper," she begged.

He pushed deeper, curling his finger inside until he found that sweet spot that made her scream. His thumb circled her clit while he thrust mercilessly, her body jerking with every movement. When he added a second finger, her moans grew louder, her body fighting but giving in at the same time. He held her down firmly, making sure she took everything he gave her.

"Don’t fight it, baby," he growled into her ear, his breath hot and heavy. "Cum for me." His fingers worked her without mercy until the pleasure exploded inside her, her body clenching around him as she screamed his name.

He pulled her against him as she trembled, ruined and breathless, his chest heaving with satisfaction at the sight of her marked and undone by his touch. He kissed her face, her lips, her neck, whispering against her skin, "I love you, Angel."