Page 277 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 2

“Anna, things have changed,” Wilhelm said softly. “I need you to trust me.”

Anna snorted. “Why? So you can ignore me again?”

“Anna, that is quite enough.” Wilhelm gave her a warning look. “You have no idea what is going on, and I need you to trust me.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her chin. “No.”

Wilhelm’s jaw clenched, his nostrils flared, and he sucked in a very long, very deep breath. She blew out a short breath and clenched her jaw, refusing to acknowledge the terror racing through her body at the sight of his anger. She knew what Alex’s anger did to him. Pushing her fear aside, she narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth, growling out “I hate you” very slowly and very deliberately. Then she turned on her heel and stormed toward her bedroom.

“Anna! Come back!”

Anna’s feet froze to the floor at his command, nearly making her fall to the floor. She had to obey. She didn’t want to obey. Her entire body shook as she fought his command. Finally, she yelled, “No!” and managed one more step against the invisible force holding her in place.

Her head exploded in blinding pain and she shrieked and fell to her knees.

Aaron ran out into the living room at Anna’s scream and saw her curled up in a ball, holding her head. He’d heard the shouting and had been rather impressed at Anna holding her own, but then she’d screamed... “What the hell did you do?”

“Aaron, stay away from her,” Wilhelm ordered sharply. “She has been disobedient.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Aaron, back off.” He picked Anna up, carried her to the couch, and sat down with her by his side.

Her face was screwed up like she was in a tremendous amount of pain, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Aaron looked at Kurt, who watched her with pained eyes.

Wilhelm stroked her hair back from her face. “Anna, will you stop rebelling?”

She didn’t answer right away. She started to respond, then shrieked again and grabbed her head.

“What the hell is going on?” Aaron growled. “What are you doing to her?”

“He is not doing anything, Aaron,” Kurt said softly. “She is doing it to herself.”

Aaron could hardly bear to watch her and turned away. “Okay, what’s she doing?”

“She ignored a command from her Master,” Kurt said. “The pain will not stop until she stops rebelling.” He gave a small smile. “I never knew she could be so stubborn.”

Aaron frowned. “I did.” Anna shrieked again and Aaron winced. “I suppose I never imagined her acting out against your father, though.”

Kurt sighed and pressed his lips together. “Please believe me. I never wanted to hurt her.”

“Then why did you?”

“I did not mean to... I just—‍” He shook his head. “I cannot explain it right now.” He gave Aaron a pleading look. “Please encourage her to trust us. I promise everything will make sense soon.” He turned back to look at Anna with such longing on his face, Aaron hurt for him.

“Alright,” Aaron said after a few minutes. “But can you stop being such a jerk?”

Kurt nodded.

Wilhelm stroked Anna’s hair back from her face as she slowly calmed down. He was truly amazed at the amount of stubbornness in this little girl. Well, she wasn’t a girl anymore. She was twenty-five. Oh, time flew far too fast.

She shuddered and then drew in a deep breath and blew it out, staring at her hands. “Are you going to punish me?”

“Do I need to?” he asked gently.

She swallowed and gave a tiny shrug. “You are my Master.”

He pulled her into his lap and cradled her head against his chest. “I think you have learned your lesson.” He kissed her forehead and held her until she was completely calm.

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