Page 129 of Red's Beast

I stand, reaching down to grab Corbin by his tail. He's heavier than he looks and I'm afraid I might injure him by doing this. Suddenly, he wakes and opens his eyes slowly.

He shifts to his human form and growls as he glances up at me. "I'll see myself home, Lillian."

Corbin gets up and passes me as we walk to the house, uncaring of his naked form. The look on his face is one of anger and disappointment, but he never looks over his shoulder and keeps his eyes on the ground.

We're playing with fire, and this will not go well.

"He'll be fine.”Grandmother looks up and sighs. "Let’s head home. It’s not that far away.”

We walk for several minutes before her cottage comes into view. Corbin is already at the door, going through after picking up his clothes on the small porch.

“Are you sure he is going to do as I ask?”

"He'll be fine and do it. You forget who we're talking about. This is Corbin and he is a selfish one.”

We reach the house and enter. Corbin comes out of the back bedroom with his gray pants on and a book in his hand. "Fine, we're opening this portal and saving him. The sooner the better. I think this is the book I've been looking for and we should beable to do it as soon as everything is prepared. I can’t resist your mating fever for much longer.”

I look at the book in his hand, but don’t remember seeing it.

“Wait? What book is that?”

He looks up at me, over the top of the book. “One that your grandmother didn’t have.”

“But when did you get that?”

He drops the book down until I can see him smile. “I haven’t been staying here all the time. You two sleep so soundly that you never heard me leave through the window. Anyway, let’s get that portal open.”

My jaw drops open in shock. He's actually putting effort into this and not goofing around as he reads through the passages. "Are you serious?"

He glances at me over the top of the book again. "Yes. Do I not look serious to you? Look, the sooner we do this, the sooner I can claim you and make you mine. My wolf is screaming in my head and I'm about to lose myself. I almost did it just minutes ago. The next time I shift, I won't be able to hold back. So, unless you want me here and now in the middle of your grandmother’s living room, you better help me get this ready. I won't be able to hold out much longer."

His admission is so raw and open. It makes my stomach flop in nervousness. This is finally happening. We're going to rescue Lucian and everything will be set in motion.

"What do you need?" Grandmother asks, eyeing me as she takes a step forward. "Lillian, go get dressed."

I look down and remember that I left my clothes behind. “Shoot.”

I glance over at her, then walk to her room and find my spare clothes. As I pull a dark mahogany skirt on, I can hear them talking in the other room. Corbin is going over the ways to open the portal and how much magic it might take.

He's still not sure how this is going to work or if he can pull it off, but he thinks his magic might work as long as he gets into the right realm the first time.

Is this really happening or am I dreaming? I rub my hands against my eyes, hoping this isn't a dream. I've waited for what feels like forever for this moment and I just want to save Lucian.

He deserves this much after all the torment he has faced.

My eyes drop to the floor as Grandmother continues to talk to him. They're whispering so low I can't hear them as clearly. I throw the blouse over my head and pull it down.

As I walk into the living room, they stop talking and look up at me.

By the looks on their faces, I already know.

They’re wondering what I am.

Will Lucian be happy to just live in the woods and accept the deal I made to bring him and his family home?

Lucian

Another day slowly passes, which means I spent the entire day avoiding the sisters. Ever since Natalia came forward yesterday and admitted she has been alive this entire time, it has been a nightmare.

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