Chapter 10：Moving in

Marie and Vale pull up to the house. Marie gets out to stretch and hears Vale calling someone. When she gets to the other side of the truck he hangs up. "Max said they will be another ten minutes. Let me show you around."

"Ok, how big is this place?" Marie looks at the house.

"It's bigger than it looks." He leads her inside. "You know the living area and kitchen. The door in the kitchen is a pantry, this door leads to the laundry room. That is also where the door for the garage is." He leads her down the hall that leads to his room and office. "Of course you know my room, office and down this way is another master suite. I usually use it when I have guests but if you would like it, it's all yours. I don't expect you to share a room as soon as you move in, so I thought I would offer you this room." This suite is larger than Vale's and it has a four poster bed with white silk curtains tied to the bed posts. There is a sitting area with bookshelves around a small brick fireplace and two soft looking brick red chairs. The bathroom has a shower in the corner with a fixture that makes it feel like rain. There is an old style bear claw tub. The his and her sink fixtures have a waterfall faucet over a glass bowl sitting on top of a solid marble countertop. There is a walk in closet next to the bathroom that is big enough to be a bedroom by itself. Marie is so stunned as she walks around the room taking it all in. She had no idea this room was at the end of the hall. "Do you like it? I don't want you to be uncomfortable, you can have this room if you want until we are married."

"It's beautiful. Why don't you sleep in here?" His room is not as elegant as this one and she is curious as to why he used it as a guest room.

"I'm comfortable in the other room, this room was just too big for me, made me feel lonely." He looks at the floor.

Marie nods her head as she slides her hand across the red comforter still walking around the room. "I'll sleep in here."

Vale smiles and nods "I can show you downstairs, if you are up for it?"

"Downstairs?" Marie raises her eyebrow at him.

"I told you, bigger than it looks.." he tilts his head as he shrugs his shoulder.

"Isn't Max and the guys going to be here soon?"

"Your right, maybe tomorrow." The doorbell rings right as he finishes his sentence.

Max pulls up and sees the Jeep parked up front. When he gets out of the truck he goes to the door and rings the bell. When Vale answers the door he signals the guys to start unloading. The sun will be coming up soon and he wants to be finished by then.

Marie smiles as Vale leaves to open the door. As she sits on the bed the guys start bringing her boxes into her room. "Where do you want these?"

"The closet please." Marie has decided to stay out of the way, besides she is feeling weak and probably wouldn't be much help anyway.

Vale helps to unload the truck. He has all the boxes put in the garage except for the ones marked 'room' and 'bathroom'. The rest can be unpacked and sorted later. Max says he wants to talk to Marie and sends the other two back home with the truck. Vale goes to get Marie but finds her sleeping. He turns back around and sits with Max. "She's sleeping man. Do I need to wake her?"

"Yes please, I need to do a blood draw. The sooner its done the better."

"Why do you need to do that?" Vale asks quietly.

"You know I do it for everyone, Vale she has to follow the pack rules." Max looks at his friend with the authority of an alpha, but also kindness.

"Hey guys, sorry I dozed off." Marie comes to sit with Vale and Max. "Everything ok?" She looks between them.

"Yes!" Max smiles. "I was just asking Vale to go get you."

"Right, you need to do bloodwork." Marie responds sleepily.

"Yes and the pack rules?" Max looks at her intently.

Marie looks down as she responds "protect the pack."

Max seems satisfied with her answer and pulls a sealed draw kit and a couple vials from his bag. He moves to sit next to Marie and puts his hand out for her arm.

Marie looks at him, surprised. "Are you qualified to do this?"

Max chuckles a little before he responds. "Yes." He moves his fingers signaling for her to give him her arm. She sighs and puts her arm out for him and looks away. Max works quickly, she didn't even feel it. "Thank you." Max smiles and puts the vials in his bag.

"I think I need to go lay down." Marie stands and gives Vale a kiss on the cheek. "Night guys." She waves to Max as she walks down the hall.

"Is that all you needed?" Vale asks.

"Lets have some celebratory drinks! Don't think I didn't see that ring!" Max smacks Vale on the back.

"Ah! Thanks man." Vale laughs and they go to the kitchen for some beers.

Marie wakes to Vale tugging on her foot. "Is something wrong?" She rubs her eyes as she sits up.

"Not really, can I sleep in here? Max took over my room." Vale looks a bit embarrassed.

"Sure." Marie lays back down and pats the spot next to her. Vale lays down and they are both fast asleep. When Marie wakes around noon she gets up and showers. Once she gets to the kitchen she looks in the fridge for something to eat, she pulls out some lunch meat, cheese and mayo. She's going to have to get some groceries. As she puts her sandwich together and wonders where the nearest store is she hears Maxes voice behind her. "Can I get a couple of those?"

Marie pulls out more bread to begin a couple more sandwiches. "Where is the nearest store?"

"Not far, you need food?" Max sits at the bar and watches Marie as she makes his sandwiches and puts his plate in front of him.

"I have to make a list but yes, I need to get some food." Marie leans against the counter as she eats.

"I can take you."

"Sure, I'll put a list together. When are you going home?"

"Tonight." Max smiles. "Congratulations on your engagement, by the way."

"Thanks." Marie gets the feeling there will constantly be guests.

Max practically inhales his sandwiches and goes back to the room. Marie finishes her sandwich and rinses the plates. She finds a piece of paper and a pen, looks through the fridge and makes a quick list. By the time she finishes max is back, ready to go. Marie goes to her room to get her sandals and purse. When she comes out Max grabs the list and keys for the Jeep, she follows him and sits in the passenger seat. Thirty minutes later Max nudges Marie awake, they are at the store.

Marie looks at the time. "We really are in the country." She yawns and stretches.

"Yep!" Max laughs. They go into the store and get everything on her list. Max is also adding items to the cart. Soon they have the car loaded and are back on the road. "I need to make a quick stop before we head back." Max says as he starts the car. Marie nods and settles in for the ride. She admires the scenery, there are animals roaming freely across lush green fields, all the houses are far from each other with fields of crops and livestock with the backdrop of large mountains in the distance. She thinks maybe she should take up painting again, she hasn't painted in years but this environment may provide new inspiration. Max pulls up to an old farmhouse and grabs his satchel. "Stay in the car." He says gruffly.

"I will." Marie responds, a bit confused.

Max walks up the stairs and three men come out onto the patio. Two of them appear to be in their teens, while the other seems to be their elder. The older man has salt and pepper hair and walks with a limp. He shakes hands with Max as the two young men look at Marie with their piercing green eyes. Max goes inside with the old man, Marie looks as the two boys standing with their arms crossed over their chests, they look as if they are statues guarding something important, giving Marie an uneasy feeling. Max soon emerges from the house and pats the two guys on their backs, says something to them and walks back to the car. Marie notices he no longer has his satchel, she decides it's probably better if she doesn't ask questions. When Max gets into the car and starts the engine the two young men go back inside. They listen to the radio on the way back to Vale's house.

Soon all the groceries are put away and Marie is exhausted. "I'm going back to bed." Marie lets Max know.

"Ok. See you in a bit." He responds.

Vale wakes up and feels Marie is laying next to him. He turns to look at her and smiles as he watches her sleep. He gently moves her hair and and nudges her shoulder. "Marie. It's time to get up." He nudges her again.

"Mmmmmm. I don't want to." Marie groans as she turns her back to him.

Vale laughs as he sits up and grabs her shoulder. "Come on babe, Max wants to see us."

"How do you know?" She grumbles. "You just woke up."

"I can hear him from here. I have exceptional hearing."

"Ok! I'm up!" Marie sighs loudly as she sits up.

"You might have a hard time switching to nights, it's normal to feel drained." Vale rubs Marie's back.

Marie stands and stretches. "Are you going to shower?"

"Later, lets go." He takes her hand and they go out to the living room.

Max is sitting on the couch watching television and smiles when he sees Vale and Marie. He turns off the tv and stands. "Took you long enough. The doc is going to have your labs evaluated by the end of the week. I'll be heading home tonight, so you guys will have some peace and quiet for a while."

"You want something to eat before you go?" Marie asks.

"Not today, I have to be back soon, I have some family arriving in the morning." He pats Vale on the shoulder. "Until next time my friend."