I sat on the closed toilet lid, my body shaking with fatigue as I watched Marcus fill the tub with warm water.
I was still arguing with him about bathing myself. I was quickly losing the current argument as I couldn't even stand on my own, let alone get myself into the bathtub.
"Fine." I relented. "I will accept your help as long as you remain clothed and don't stare." Heat flooded my face as Marcus stepped over and gently helped me remove the sweat stained shirt I had been wearing.
"I am here to help you recover Riley. Not to make you feel uncomfortable."
Once I was undressed Marcus carefully lifted me from the toilet and placed me in the tub. The water was perfect and I let myself lean back and relax. Well relax as much as I could with a hot Alpha scrubbing my body clean.
He was quiet and so very gentle as he worked but his brows were furrowed as he noticed the condition I was in. I was shocked as well as I looked down and saw that my ribs were showing. I had only been bed ridden for a little over a week, not enough time to lose this much muscle and body fat. I looked emaciated, like I hadn't eaten anything for months. And all the lean muscle that had appeared was gone.
"What is happening to me?" I croaked as I placed a hand on my too thin torso.
"I'm not sure. Anthony didn't say anything about it before he left, only that your vitals were looking good and you should recover."
Once Marcus declared I was clean he wrapped me in a thick towel and carried me out to the bedroom. There were clean sheets and clothes waiting for me along with a hot meal. The clothes that once fit perfectly now hung off my too thin frame.
"Thank you, for taking care of me." I whispered once I was dressed and tucked into the warm blankets.
"I will always take care of you." Marcus smiled as he brought over the soup and bread for me.
The moment he placed the tray of food onto the bedside table I saw him flinch in pain as his usual warm brown eyes flickered to a glowing red.
"Marcus! What's wrong?" Panic started to bloom in my chest as I heard him groan.
"Nothing for you to worry about." He breathed. "I need to go. I will be back as soon as I can. Quinn will watch over you."
He dashed out of the room before I could protest. I wasn't alone for long before Quinn entered and took the chair beside the bed.
"Is Marcus ok?"
Quinn eyed me then the untouched food on the tray.
"He will be fine. You need to eat." He pointed out as he handed the large mug of soup to me. I just looked at him as I waited for more information.
"You can take the mug or I will force feed you. It's your choice." I took the mug.
He nodded in satisfaction once I started to eat.
"Are you going to tell me what is going on with Marcus?" I asked between mouthfuls of soup.
Quinn considered my words for a moment before he shook his head. "I'm sorry but I can't. I don't know much about it but this is something only Marcus can tell you."
That wasn't the answer I expected. Marcus always seemed like the type that kept his team informed about anything that could be a threat to the pack. Though the more I thought about it, I knew that wasn't always the case. He hadn't told his strategist about the attack in the forest, or why I was brought here. Now he has gone off without a word as to where he was going or when he would be back. Just how many secrets was Marcus hiding from his pack?
I ate in silence as Quinn sat there and made sure I finished everything on the tray. Once I finished he took the tray then returned with his tablet and a plate of fresh cut fruit.
I had only eaten a few bites before the exhaustion became too much and I dozed off.
This routine became my new normal. Any time I wasn't asleep Quinn was there with food and watched to make sure I ate. Doctor Sung was called once again to watch over me but he couldn't find the cause of my rapid weight loss.
"The drugs are no longer in your system." He stated as he puzzled over my latest lab results. "And according to your blood work and all the tests you should be healthy, but you are severely under weight and no matter what we do you don't seem to be gaining anything back." He sighed and rubbed at his tired eyes.
Doctor Sung had not slept at all since he arrived after only being gone for a few days. The IV was back in my arm to help keep me hydrated and to administer a plethora of medications to make sure I didn't go into organ failure as my body continued to cannibalize itself.
Marcus had still not returned, nor did he send word about what was going on. Regardless Sylus kept security on high alert and had his guards keeping a close eye on the borders and the pack house. Jiro as always kept vigil at my door and kept me company when Quinn was not able to.
Another three days passed before Marus returned. At that point I was nothing more than skin and bone regardless of the amount of food I had eaten. I had gotten so weak that Doctor Sung was hand feeding me and had considered placing a feeding tube to further raise my calorie intake.
Marcus looked exhausted. There were dark smudges under his eyes and he dragged his feet as he walked across the room. But it was the look he gave me that caught my breath. Guilt and a deep sorrow crossed his face before he quickly hid the outpouring of emotion.
"Leave us." He commanded.
"But Alpha, Riley is in critical condition..." Doctor Sung began before he was cut off by a single hard glance from the Alpha.
"Very well." He bowed is head in submission and backed out of the room. Quinn followed close behind and closed the door with a soft click.
Once they were alone Marcus settled on the chair and placed a box I hadn't noticed he was carrying on the bedside table.
"I am sorry this is happening to you." He sighed as he let himself relax a fraction.
Marcus knew what was happening to me. The grief and the apology practically screamed his confession.
"Before you ask, I don't know exactly what is going on but I do know one thing. You are dying."
I coughed out a bitter laugh. "Tell me something I don't already know."
"I know that no amount of food or medication will help with your current condition."
I gave him a knowing look. "Do you know anything I haven't already figured out on my own? If not I would like to be left alone to rest."
Marus looked pained at the curt dismissal but he did not get up. Instead he turned to the box and opened it. There was an ornate red and gold case inside that had a golden latch that kept it closed.
"This is for you." He placed the case on bed and opened the latch. Inside there were three vials and a letter that was sealed with red wax.
"I don't understand." I whispered as I looked at the contents of the case.
"I can not answer your questions but there may be some answers in the letter." He then carefully picked up one of the vials and opened it. "This will help you get better." He stated.
The contents of the vial was dark and viscose. As Marcus brought it to my face I caught a metallic scent that was mixed with something darker.
"What is it?" I looked at the concoction with suspicion.
"Something I risked my very life to get for you. To save your life."
The look on his face and plea in his voice broke something inside me. Marcus, and Alpha I had only known for a month had risked his life and the safety of his pack for me. "Why?"
He sighed as he continued to hold the vial. "Because you are important to me. Please take the potion. Get better. If not for me, than for yourself."
I let his words sink in before I nodded and opened my mouth for him.
Marcus gently placed his free arm behind my shoulders and held me up as he poured the contents of the vial into my mouth.
It tasted like moonlight and shadows as the thick liquid slid down my throat and sat heavily in my stomach.
When there was no adverse reaction Marcus settled me back on the pillows and placed the empty vial back in the case.
"Rest now. I will watch over you."
Marcus' deep voice vibrated through my core and made me feel safe as I closed my eyes and slept.