Chapter 9

Marcus

I wake up in the morning, and for a moment, I'm disoriented, the weight in my arms unfamiliar. Then I remember—Zoe.

Her pale pink hair is tousled, splayed across the pillow like a halo. I resist the urge to brush a stray strand from her face, not wanting to disturb her peaceful slumber. Instead, I breathe in deeply, savoring her scent—something that makes my wolf rumble with contentment.

This feels right. More right than anything has in a long time. I've spent so long focused on duty—to the pack, to Liam—that I'd forgotten what it felt like to want something for myself. But Zoe... she makes me remember. Makes me yearn for more than just existing.

The thought of my brother sends a pang of guilt through me. Liam. How am I going to explain this to him? The conflict between my duty to my pack, my loyalty to my brother, and my growing feelings for Zoe has been tearing me apart. But in this moment, with Zoe in my arms, I can't bring myself to regret the choice I've made.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Zoe stirs, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, she looks confused, then a slow, sleepy smile spreads across her face. "Good morning," she murmurs, her voice husky with sleep.

"Morning," I reply, unable to keep the affection out of my voice. "Sleep well?"

She stretches languidly, reminding me of a contented cat. "Mmm, better than I have in years. You make a pretty good pillow, you know."

I chuckle, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. "Happy to be of service."

Zoe props herself up on an elbow, her hazel eyes searching my face. "No regrets?" she asks, a hint of vulnerability in her tone.

I reach up, cupping her cheek in my hand. "Not a single one," I say firmly. "You?"

She leans into my touch, her eyes closing briefly. "None. This feels... right."

I'm about to pull her down for a kiss when a loud crash from downstairs shatters our peaceful bubble. Zoe jumps, her eyes wide with alarm. "What was that?"

I'm already sitting up, my body tense and alert. "Stay here," I growl, my protective instincts kicking into overdrive. But even as I say it, I catch a whiff of a familiar scent – alcohol and... Liam.

"Shit," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. This is exactly what I was afraid of.

"What is it?" Zoe asks, her hand on my arm. "Is everything okay?"

I turn to her, torn between the desire to shield her from what's coming and the knowledge that she deserves the truth. "It's Liam," I say finally. "And from the smell of it, he's been drinking. A lot."

Understanding dawns in her eyes, followed quickly by concern. "Oh no. Marcus, I'm so sorry. I should go-"

"No," I say, perhaps more forcefully than I intended. I soften my tone. "No, you don't have to leave. This... this was bound to happen sooner or later. We might as well face it head-on."

She nods, but I can see the apprehension in her eyes. I lean in, pressing a quick, reassuring kiss to her forehead. "It'll be okay," I murmur, wishing I felt as confident as I sounded.

I climb out of bed, quickly pulling on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Zoe follows suit, slipping into her clothes from yesterday. We share a look of mutual support before I open the bedroom door and head downstairs, Zoe close behind me.

The scene that greets us in the living room is exactly what I feared. Liam is sprawled on the couch, a nearly empty bottle of whiskey dangling from his hand. The crash we heard was apparently a vase he knocked over in his drunken stumbling.

As soon as he sees us, his eyes narrow, focusing on Zoe with an intensity that makes me want to step in front of her. "Well, well, well," he slurs, struggling to sit up. "If it isn't the happy couple."

"Liam," I say, keeping my voice level. "You're drunk. Let's get you some water and-"

"Don't patronize me!" he snarls, suddenly on his feet. He sways slightly but manages to stay upright. "I'm not a child, Marcus. I can see what's going on here."

I feel Zoe tense beside me, and I instinctively move closer to her. "Liam, please. Let's talk about this when you're sober."

But Liam's not listening. His gaze is fixed on Zoe, hurt and betrayal written all over his face. "How could you?" he asks, his voice breaking. "I thought... I thought we had something."

Zoe steps forward, her voice gentle but firm. "Liam, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. But what we had... it wasn't real. It wasn't going anywhere."

Her words seem to break something in Liam. He lets out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Wasn't real? Wasn't going anywhere? And this is?" He gestures wildly between Zoe and me. "My brother and my girlfriend? That's real?"

"Ex-girlfriend," I can't help but correct, immediately regretting it when I see the flash of pain in Liam's eyes.

"You're supposed to be my brother," Liam spits out, his anger now fully directed at me. "You're supposed to have my back. But instead, you go behind my back and steal my girl?"

I feel my own temper rising, but I force it down. Getting angry won't help the situation. "Liam, it's not like that. We didn't plan this. It just... happened."

"Oh, it just happened?" Liam mocks. "Like it just happened that you were always Dad's favorite? Like it just happened that you got to be the pack beta while I'm stuck doing grunt work at the construction site?"

His words hit me like a physical blow. Is that really how he sees things? "Liam, I never-"

But he's on a roll now, years of pent-up resentment pouring out. "You always get everything, Marcus. The respect, the power, and now Zoe. What's left for me, huh? What do I get?"

I'm at a loss for words, the weight of his accusations crushing me. I've always tried to protect Liam, to be there for him after our parents died. How did I miss this much pain?

Zoe steps forward, her voice trembling slightly but determined. "Liam, this isn't about you versus Marcus. What happened between us... it's not anyone's fault. Sometimes people just don't fit together the way they thought they would."

Liam's laugh is hollow. "And sometimes they fit together perfectly, right? Like you and my brother?"

The bitterness in his voice is palpable, and I can see Zoe flinch. Her eyes dart between Liam and me.

"I..." Zoe starts, her voice trailing off. She takes a step back, creating distance between herself and both of us. "I think I should go," she says softly, her tone tinged with hesitation.

I can see the conflict in her eyes. Part of her is silently pleading with me to stand up for our relationship, to declare that she belongs here with me. But another part is clearly struggling with the weight of coming between two brothers.

"You two need to talk," she continues, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to be the reason your family falls apart."

I feel torn. I want to reassure her, to tell her that she's not coming between us, that our issues run deeper than her. But with Liam's volatile state, I'm worried about how he might react if I defend our relationship right now.

"Zoe, could you wait outside for a bit?" I say, my voice low and urgent. "Don't go far though. It's not safe out there with the current threat. I just need a moment alone with Liam."

I see a flash of hurt and anger in Zoe's eyes. Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think she might argue. Instead, she nods curtly. "Fine," she says, her voice clipped.

She turns to Liam, her expression softening slightly. "I truly am sorry, Liam. I hope someday you can forgive me."

Liam doesn't respond, his gaze fixed on the floor. Zoe looks at me one last time before she slips out the front door.

The silence that follows her departure is deafening, and I wonder if I might have made a mistake.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation. "Liam," I start, trying to keep my voice calm and reasonable. "I know you're hurting, and I'm sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen."

Liam's head snaps up, his eyes blazing with anger. "Sorry? You're sorry? Do you have any idea what it's like living in your shadow? Always being compared to you, always falling short?"

His words cut deep, each one a reminder of how I've failed him as a brother. "Liam, I never wanted you to feel that way. I've only ever wanted what's best for you."

"What's best for me?" Liam scoffs. "You mean controlling every aspect of my life? Deciding what's best for me without ever asking what I want?"

I feel my own frustration rising. "I was trying to protect you! After Mom and Dad died, I had to step up. I had to make sure you were taken care of."

"I didn't need a father, Marcus!" Liam shouts. "I needed a brother! But you were too busy being the perfect beta, to see that."

His words hit me like a physical blow. Have I really been so blind? "Liam, I-"

But he's not finished. "And now? Now you've taken the one thing that was mine."

I shake my head, trying to make him understand. "Zoe and I... it's not something we planned. It just happened. And she wasn't yours, Liam. She's her own person, free to make her own choices."

Liam lets out a bitter laugh. "Right. And of course, she chose you. Everyone always chooses you."

The pain in his voice is almost unbearable. I take a step towards him, reaching out. "Liam, please. Let's talk about this. We can work through this."

But Liam backs away, his eyes cold. "There's nothing to work through, Marcus. I'm done."

A chill runs down my spine at his words. "What do you mean, you're done?"

Liam straightens up, a look of determination replacing the hurt on his face. "I mean I'm leaving. I'm joining the Howling Pines pack."

The words hit me like a bucket of ice water. "What? Liam, you can't be serious. The Howling Pines pack? They're dangerous!"

"At least there, I won't be living in anyone's shadow," Liam retorts. "I'll make my own way, without you hovering over me."

I feel panic rising in my chest. "Liam, please. Think about what you're saying. This is your home, your pack. You can't just throw that away."

"Watch me," Liam says, his voice cold. He turns and starts walking towards the door.

I move to block his path, desperation coloring my voice. "Liam, wait. Please. We can figure this out. Just... don't go. Not like this."

"Goodbye, Marcus," he says, pushing past me.

The sound of the front door slamming echoes through the house. I stand in the living room, my fists clenched at my sides, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts. The argument with my brother plays on repeat in my mind, each word a fresh cut.

"Damn it," I growl, running a hand through my hair. The beta in me wants to chase after Liam, to finish this, to make him understand. But the older brother in me knows he needs time to cool off.

My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, agitated by the confrontation. I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. It's then that a new worry creeps in.

Zoe.

I quickly move to the front door, intending to bring her back inside, but when I open it, she's nowhere to be seen. A pang of guilt hits me as I realize she must have left, probably ordering an Uber in her anger.

Pulling out my phone, I dial her number, hoping to apologize and make sure she's safe. The phone rings, but there's no answer. A mixture of worry and frustration washes over me. Is she not picking up because she's still upset with me? Or could it be something worse?

Half of me wants to believe she's just angry and needs space, but the other half can't shake the nagging fear about the looming threat we've been facing. The two emotions war within me, creating a knot of anxiety in my stomach.

Regardless of the reason, the thought of Zoe potentially being in danger consumes me entirely. Whether she's ignoring my calls out of anger or something more sinister is at play, I'm overwhelmed with concern for her safety. I need to find her, to make sure she's okay, to protect her at all costs.

I try calling again. The phone rings once, twice, three times. No answer. My heart rate picks up.

"Come on, Zoe," I mutter, dialing again. Still nothing.

A knot forms in my stomach. It could be nothing. She could be busy, or her phone could be on silent. But in our world, in these tense times, 'nothing' isn't a luxury we can afford.

I grab my keys and head for the door, my movements swift and purposeful. The cool night air hits me as I step outside, carrying with it the scents of pine and distant rain. I inhale deeply, searching for any trace of Zoe's vanilla and lavender scent. Nothing.

My truck roars to life, and I peel out of the driveway, tires crunching on gravel. The streets of Whispering Pines are quiet at this hour, the occasional streetlight casting long shadows across the road. I drive faster than I should, my knuckles white on the steering wheel.

Zoe's apartment complex comes into view, a modest two-story building painted a soft blue. I park haphazardly, barely remembering to cut the engine before I'm out of the truck. Her car is here, I note with relief and renewed worry. If her car's here, where is she?

I take the stairs two at a time, my heavy boots echoing in the stairwell. At her door, I pause, listening intently. No sounds from inside. No TV, no music, no movement. The silence is deafening.

"Zoe?" I call out, knocking firmly. "Zoe, it's Marcus. Are you there?"

Nothing.

I try the handle, finding it locked. A growl builds in my chest, my wolf pushing forward, demanding action. I close my eyes, forcing myself to think rationally. Breaking down the door won't help if she's not here.

My military training kicks in, pushing aside the panic threatening to overwhelm me. I need to approach this systematically. I pull out my phone again, dialing Zoe's number. As it rings, I press my ear to the door, listening for any sound from inside. Nothing.

"Fuck," I mutter, ending the call. I pace the hallway, my mind racing through possibilities. Could she have gone out? Left her car and caught a ride with someone? But why wouldn't she answer her phone?

I knock on the neighboring doors, but no one answers. Frustration builds within me, a pressure cooker of worry and anger. I need to do something, anything.

Returning to Zoe's door, I kneel down, examining the lock. No signs of forced entry. I lean in, inhaling deeply. Her scent is here, but it's not fresh. She hasn't been here for hours.

The realization hits me like a physical blow. Zoe is missing. The woman I've sworn to protect, the woman who's slowly been working her way into my heart, is gone.

I stand abruptly, my fists clenched so tight my nails dig into my palms. The wolf in me howls, demanding release, demanding that we hunt, that we find her. It takes every ounce of my control to keep from shifting right here in the hallway.

"Think, Marcus," I growl to myself. "Think!"

I pull out my phone again, this time dialing Ryan. As alpha, he needs to know what's happening. Plus, we'll need the pack's help to find her.

"Marcus?" Ryan's voice is alert despite the late hour. "What's wrong?"

"Zoe's missing," I say, my voice tight with controlled panic. "I can't reach her, and she's not at her apartment. Her car's here, but there's no sign of her."

There's a pause on the other end, then Ryan's voice comes back, sharp and authoritative. "I'll mobilize the pack. We'll start a search. Where are you now?"

"At her apartment. I'm going to check the surrounding area, see if I can pick up her scent."

"Good. Be careful, Marcus. We don't know what we're dealing with here."

I end the call, already moving towards the stairs. As I exit the building, the cool night air hits me again, and I take a deep breath, focusing all my senses. I need to find her scent, to get some clue as to where she might have gone.

I circle the building, my nose working overtime, filtering through the myriad of scents. Car exhaust, garbage from the dumpsters, the lingering aroma of someone's dinner. But no Zoe.

Frustration builds within me, threatening to overwhelm my control. I want to shift, to let my wolf take over and track her down. But I know I need to stay human, to be able to communicate with the pack when they arrive.

I make another circuit of the building, this time extending my search to the nearby streets. Still nothing. It's as if she's vanished into thin air.

The sound of approaching vehicles catches my attention. I turn to see several cars pulling into the parking lot. Ryan steps out of the first one, his face grim.

"Anything?" he asks as he approaches.

I shake my head, unable to keep the growl from my voice. "Nothing. It's like she was never here."

Ryan nods, his eyes scanning the area. "We'll find her, Marcus. We'll turn this town upside down if we have to."

I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. The reality of the situation crashes over me like a tidal wave.

I love her. I love her fierce independence, her quiet strength, the way she challenges me without even trying. And now, because of that love, she's in danger.

I look at Ryan, my eyes blazing with determination. "We need to find her," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "Now."

Ryan nods, already turning to relay orders to the pack. As they spring into action around me, I stand still for a moment, my fists clenched at my sides.

"I'm coming for you, Zoe," I whisper into the night. "Hold on. I'm coming."

The night stretches ahead. But one thing is certain: I will find Zoe, and God help anyone who stands in my way.