Shifter: Stefan's Mark

by Jaden Sinclair

  Taking a few deep breaths, she turned and headed back up the stairs to hopefully fix the latest mess that Stefan created.

  After walking back into the room, Natasha closed the door, then turned to her daughter. “Skyler, why don't you go downstairs and take the rest of the packages to the guest room. We can deal with them later.

  Skyler dropped the dress she was holding onto the bed. Quietly, she dashed out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  "You people have a lot of nerve.” Sidney quickly went on the offense. “So what should I expect next? A marriage proposal?"

  "I have no idea.” Natasha said, picking up the dress that Skyler had put down. She walked to the closet and opened the double doors. The closet was a huge walk-in, one side full of Stefan's clothes, the other side seemed to be bare—waiting for her clothes. “But I'm sure we will find out in time, knowing Stefan.” She hung the clothes up before turning back to Sidney. “And I didn't know about the clothes."

  Sidney watched her walk back to the bed and pick up more of the clothes Skyler had deposited there. “And is that supposed to be comforting?"

  Natasha picked up the undergarments and stopped in front of Sidney. She handed her a pair of cream silk panties before she went to a dresser to put the rest away. “I have been in your shoes before, remember? I don't assume that anything being said right now is very comforting, but keep this in mind. Stefan's father took me and put his claim on me, and in our world, that is as good as a marriage. But our worlds are different. You are pure human. I'm pure shifter. Shifter rules state that once a claim has been made to mate you, the two of you are a couple, even if you are human. Stefan is going by those rules, and in his eyes, you are his mate or wife whatever you want to call it.” She looked Sidney dead in the eye. “In our world, he has full rights to you, and there isn't a single one of us who can undo it, but I can help you to adjust to the best of my abilities."

  "You people are out of your fucking minds.” Sidney groaned, rubbing her face in aggravation. She glared at Natasha. “I don't want to be here. I am not your son's mate! This is not my home.” She swung her arms in a wide sweeping motion. “I want to go back to my life and my own clothes!"

  "I understand where you are coming from, I really do,” Natasha stated. “But I can tell you that Stefan won't go to your home for your clothes. The last time he went to your house, your father captured him and chained him to a wall.” She cocked her head to one side, viewing Sidney with humor in her eyes.

  "You think this is funny!” Sidney accused, her voice full of shock.

  "Not really.” Natasha took another deep breath. “Sidney, you need to calm down, really. Getting so upset isn't going to help you deal with Stefan, it is only going to force him to want to dominate you and that isn't what you need right now."

  "Oh, excuse me."

  Natasha turned at the sound, smiling at the man in the doorway who seemed remarkably like the brute who had brought Sidney here, only darker. He moved forward. “Hello. I am Dedrick, brother to our dear Stefan."

  "He is not our dear Stefan,” Sidney said between clenched teeth. She clenched her fists at her sides and stared angrily at him. “There is nothing dear about that prick."

  Dedrick was at least a foot taller than Stefan and with hair that rivaled the darkest of nights. He dressed more stylishly than his brother, who only wore jeans and T-shirts. Dedrick wore his hair in the same long, brushed back style as Stefan. However, his appearance was darker ... almost deadly.

  "I presume you're not here to help me either,” Sidney said snidely as she stomped over to the loveseat and sat down, crossing her arms over her chest. She glared at Dedrick, who, Natasha noticed, had a sinister look about him. When his dark eyes met Sidney's, the first thing that came to Natasha's mind was that he was going to scare this girl even more. He was the kind of man a woman could and should be afraid of.

  Dedrick grinned, which seemed to soften his dark eyes. He looked at Sidney with kindness. “Let me start off by saying the entire staff knows you are his mate. There is no one who will help you escape, and my mother won't take sides either.” He gave her a knowing smile. “Stefan has spoken of you often throughout the years.” Dedrick moved toward her and dropped down onto the loveseat next to her. “In fact, he hasn't stopped talking about you for months. Do you mind if I ask you what you did to upset him so much?"

  "I did nothing! Why don't you ask him what he has done to me?” Sidney said hatefully.

  "Ah, but you did not destroy my walls with your fists.” He grinned. Sidney's mouth dropped open. Dedrick smiled. “I think I can help you understand."

  "There is nothing to understand.” She stood and looked at Dedrick closely. “You people have lost your minds. I've been kidnapped. Stripped. Molested. Now I want to go home,” she told him, her voice tight.

  "In time you will give up that notion. You do belong here.” Dedrick said with finality.

  "People will wonder where I went, they will search for me,” Sidney cried desperately.

  "I think I am going to check on dinner,” Natasha said quietly with a sigh. She walked up to Dedrick and placed her hand on his thick arm. “Go easy. She doesn't need any more bullying."

  * * * *

  "Your father? Yes. Stefan told me about him, but he thinks you are at school, right?” Her look of shock answered the question for him. “I think it will be some time before he knows you are missing.” When Dedrick finished, his voice was tight, leaving no room for argument. He watched the defiance in her face and admired her strength. To Dedrick, she was the perfect woman for his brother.

  "I was with a friend when he took me.” Sidney rose and stepped away from him.

  "We will deal with that when the time comes."

  "What do you mean deal with that?"

  Dedrick took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he thought of the best way to say the things that needed to be said. “Please understand, you are his mate. If it weren't for your father, he might never have found you. Stefan could not take you with him when he left because, at the time, you were too young. Now that you have come of age, he has decided to claim you. That's the way it is for our people.” He gave her a glimpse that said the debate was over. Only it wasn't.

  "Your way?” Sidney screeched.

  "So many questions. Why do you not just accept your fate?” Dedrick asked tiredly.

  "Would you people stop saying that. Of course I have questions.” Sidney thumped her foot in anger. “And there is no way in hell I am going to accept shit!"

  "He has talked of nothing but you these past years.” Dedrick went on, as if she hadn't said anything. “We are all overwhelmed with your presence. Now, shall I continue?"

  "No! I can't take anymore!” Sidney cried.

  "Yes. I imagine you must be exhausted. Are you hungry? I can have a meal prepared for you,” Dedrick offered kindly.

  "No thanks,” she answered dryly. “The thought of eating turns my stomach. What you can do is give me a ride the hell out of here.” She smiled sweetly.

  Dedrick laughed. He could see why Stefan had chosen her. He wasn't jealous, but part of him wished for a mate just like Sidney. He needed a mate like her, someone strong enough to handle the demands. Each full moon became harder and harder for Dedrick. The desires that hit became more intense each time.

  * * * *

  Dedrick left the room, and Sidney was grateful to be alone. She glanced at the bed. The clothes still waiting to be put away made this all seem more real. How had she ended up here? She should have listened to her father. Maybe then she wouldn't be a prisoner of these crazy people. Yet, Sidney thought that all of this really started with her father. If he hadn't brought Stefan into their home, then he wouldn't have seen her, talked to her, and taken her.

  Another knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts. Sidney had a good idea of who was behind the door, and she groaned. All she wanted was to be left alone. Sighing, she rose and walked to the door. When she yanked it open, Sky
ler stood there smiling at her.

  "What are you doing up here now?” Sidney sighed.

  Skyler studied Sidney with eyes that were unnerving. “I can't smell his scent on you,” Skyler remarked absently. “Oh, I apologize,” she added quickly when Sidney crossed her arms over her chest and gave her a dirty look. “Things just slip out sometimes. I didn't mean to upset you.” Skyler busied herself by putting away the clothes still on the bed.

  "What did you mean by his scent on me?” Sidney was confused, and was almost afraid of hearing the answer.

  "Don't worry. It wasn't important,” Skyler lowered her voice and shook her head.

  Sidney felt a new sense of fear hit her. “Yes, it was."

  Skyler turned, sat down on the bed, and fiddled with the blouse in her hand. “With the full moon not far off, he should have mated with you. Why hasn't he?"

  Sidney turned away from her. “Why do you insist I will mate with him? I have no intention of doing so,” Sidney said with quiet finality.

  "It's our way,” she stated with an uncomfortable stutter. “For the males, that is,” she added quickly. “It's in their nature to want to mark their mates with their scents so other males will know they are taken. Most never wait for the girl to get used to the idea, or at least that is what it used to be like. I guess now days the guys handle things better.” She cocked her head, looking up at the ceiling as if in deep thought. “Of course I have heard stories about how hard a mating can be between a full-blooded shifter and a human, and with the full moon involved, one does wonder if it is possible for a human to handle it or not.” She turned and raked her gaze over Sidney. “But then you do look like you can handle yourself with Stefan, and he is pretty mellow compared to Dedrick. I'm sure you will be just fine when the moon comes."

  "You all are crazy!” Sidney had had enough and ran toward the door.

  "Sidney, wait!"

  Sidney dashed out of the bedroom. She ran with fear in her gut, ran from the knowledge that if he tried again she would cave in. Sidney started to panic. The room she was in seemed to be at the other end of the house. Since she hadn't been awake when she was brought in, Sidney was going on pure adrenalin while she ran. Not knowing where she was going, she hoped the turn she took was the right direction and not one that would send her back to the bedroom. Down a very long hallway, she ran. The moment she saw the stairs she stopped for a breather and a smile. Freedom!

  She saw Stefan standing at the railing at the top of the stairs glancing down. He had all his clothes on, the cold expression was gone from his eyes, and he looked almost like he had before he got pissed at her and left the room.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Four

  "It's hard at first."

  Stefan turned his head to his mother's voice. He gave her a faint smile. “I wasn't expecting it to be easy."

  Natasha leaned her hip against the railing, looking at her son. “I think she has had a difficult life, Stefan. It's hard for a girl like her to trust any man, and you do tend to come on strong."

  Stefan snorted with a smile. “Not like Dedrick."

  "No, not like Dedrick.” Natasha smiled. “She just needs some time."

  "Mom, I don't have time.” Stefan sighed, turning to give his mother his full attention. “The full moon is only three days away. You, of all people, know what happens then."

  "I do.” She nodded. “And I also know she isn't ready for that."

  "I don't think we have much of a choice then."

  Natasha reached out and tenderly brushed the hair from his eyes. “We all have a choice, Stefan. It is how we choose that makes the difference."

  Stefan smiled. “How did you get so wise?"

  "It comes with age.” She smiled back. “And with having been in her shoes."

  Stefan laughed, but his laughter and smile vanished the moment Sidney came running around the corner. She was running from the direction of his room and was dressed in one of his shirts.

  "Sidney?” he asked concerned, a frown forming on his lips.

  Sidney stopped running, and Stefan saw the tears and pain she had been holding inside, most of it not caused by him. Stefan felt his gut drop. He turned to her, waiting to see what she might do next. Her pain hurt him, and the faint “No,” she uttered brought him to his knees. He kept an eye on her, somewhat stunned, as she took off at a run down the stairs and toward the front door. Stefan expected her to run at some point, just not so soon. For a few seconds, Stefan watched her run down the stairs, bumping into Dedrick as she went. It was strange. He couldn't believe that his brother didn't grab her.

  "Grab her, Dedrick!” Stefan yelled.

  Dedrick seemed to be taken aback by the quickness of Sidney's action. He didn't have time to react and could only gaze up at his brother with a sorry expression.

  Stefan glared at him. “You aren't very much help,” he snapped.

  Stefan grabbed the railing and swung over. He landed on the first level with a light thud. He gave his brother a dirty look before his full attention went to Sidney and the door that she was opening.

  Stefan dashed to the front door as Sidney ran out in the direction of the front gates. Stefan felt a slight pang of panic. If she got away, he didn't know how long it would be before he could find her again, if he found her. He couldn't lose her. He just couldn't!

  Stefan ran. He ran as fast as he could to catch her. Fear hit him. Tonight was the one night that the gates were open. He knew that if she got through them, it would all be over. Stefan knew if Sidney went through those gates, he would never see her again.

  "Sidney!"

  Stefan caught her as she reached for the open gate. Sidney swung around and began to strike him hysterically. Sidney managed to land a few hits on him, one to his face, before he got a firm grip on her.

  With minimal effort, Stefan grabbed her wrists, preventing her from hitting him any more. Tears fell from her eyes, and Stefan felt as if he owed her time to have a good cry. Sidney collapsed to the ground, and Stefan followed, wrapping her in his arms. He sighed, feeling relief at not losing her again. Stefan also felt a small amount of guilt over what he was putting her through. Stefan waited for her to push him away, but she never did. Deep down, he hoped that this was some kind of truce between them and not just a good cry for her with him as the only comfort around.

  Stefan tightened his hold on her and rocked back and forth in an effort to relax her. Taking her pain away took precedence over all—except keeping her with him. He could not let her go no matter what. She was his and nothing was going to change that, not even her hate toward him right now.

  "Don't cry, Sid.” Stefan soothed her, rubbing his hand up and down her back. He took a deep breath, gazing up at the night sky. Time was slowly running out, and for once, Stefan wished he had more time to get her ready.

  "I'm so ashamed of what he did to you. I'm so sorry,” Sidney whispered against his chest.

  Stefan took a deep breath and his arms involuntarily clenched tighter around her. He continued to rock her until her tears quieted to a hiccup. “You don't have to apologize for him,” Stefan told her. His voice lowered to a soothing caress, a tender warmth. Stefan rested his chin on her head before he lowered his face into her hair, closing his eyes as he took her sweet scent deep into his lungs. “Never apologize for him."

  Sidney grabbed the front of his shirt, fisting it in her hands. She looked at him with a fresh set of tears in her eyes, threatening to fall. “Why me? Why did you pick me?"

  The desperation in her voice tore at Stefan. He brushed her hair from her face and hooked it behind her ears. “You are perfect for me. No one else will ever do.” His voice was gentle, caring. His touch light. “You are all I have thought about for these past four years."

  Stefan leaned in to kiss her, but Sidney pulled back. Tears once again fell freely. “I can't.” She sobbed, tossing her head back and crying harder. “I can't do this."

  Stefan pulled her back into his arms, hugg
ing her tightly. Rising with her, he carried her back to the house. No more words were said as she burrowed against him and allowed him to carry her back to the room. Stefan even kept his mouth shut when he saw his brother and mother waiting for them at the top of the stairs. Once there, behind closed doors, she spoke again. “What will happen in three days?"

  Stefan placed Sidney in the center of the bed. He lay down on his side, and brushed her face softly. “Sleep. There will be time to talk in the morning,” Stefan said gently, looking down at her with nothing but kindness.

  Sidney shook her head, “No, I want ... I deserve to know."

  He pulled the covers up over her and sighed as he pushed his fingers through his hair. “That is when the male of my species has heightened sexuality."

  "What does that mean?"

  "It means...” As his gaze settled on her, Stefan questioned for a moment if he should really tell her, wondered if she was ready to hear this yet, or if he should only give her as little information as he could get away with. “I will have a deep desire to make you mine—in every way. Sleep, Sidney, we will talk about this tomorrow."

  * * * *

  Bright sunshine beat down on Sidney as she wandered the grounds near the fence. She kept going over and over what Stefan had told her the night before. She also couldn't forget the tenderness he'd shown her. It was almost as if her meltdown had brought out the softer side of him. Sidney searched for a hole that she could possibly fit through. She knew that she needed to get away, but did she really want to go back to her father? When it came down to it, the question was did she want to be her father's prisoner or Stefan's? The question was a hard one to answer.

  Sidney knew that one thing she had to do in order to search for any kind of escape was to wear the clothes Stefan had bought for her. Few things she'd been given weren't fancy. Sidney chose the least dressy of all the items. There were no jeans or slacks. All that she had found were denim or silk skirts and matching shirts. The denim skirt she had on was tight around her hips but flowed loosely around her thighs. The hemline ended a few inches above her knees, and she wore a loose silk sleeveless shirt. She didn't wear shoes and wondered if she'd regret her choice in case she managed to find an escape route.