Page 38 of Red's Beast

I attempt to rub my eyes, wishing that I could just disappear and wake up in my own bed, but that isn’t happening. A hiss escapes my mouth as I realize my wrists are burning once more.

I look and see a bandage wrapped around each one. “Who did this? Why would Corbin help me?”

The bedroom door abruptly swings open, only to reveal Corbin coming inside. He is holding a full tray of food.

“I figured you’d be hungry,” he says as he glances down at the tray.

"Why did you take care of me?"

He comes into the room and lays the tray on the foot of the bed before turning around to leave. Corbin hesitates andstops briefly in the doorway before leaving. "You can thank my mother. I know nothing about healing remedies, but she does.”

When he disappears, my stomach chooses that moment to growl. I glance over at the tray and grab a few of the crackers, which I nibble on immediately. The salt tastes good at the moment.

Alana’s voice fills the room suddenly, causing me to jerk. "I see you are enjoying the food."

"Yes, very much so. I didn't eat yesterday or today. Thank you for taking care of me.”

She walks over and sits on the edge of the bed, but I can’t help the thoughts that swirl in my mind. Why did she do this?

I continue to stare at her as I finish swallowing the crackers. There’s nothing else I can do.

Sadly, I start to shake as I feel overwhelmed. There must be a motive if she helped me.

With a quick movement, her eyes dart around the room, scanning the area for any signs of trouble, before they eventually settle on the door. She sighs as she shifts her gaze toward me. Once again, her lips are pressed together tightly, and it's killing me to wait in silence to see what she does. I don't move a muscle out of fear that this is some cruel joke. Surely, she wouldn't be this nice to me, not after all the years of neglect.

"The smell of fear is rolling off you in waves, dear girl,” she says in a low voice as she eyes me again. "There is no need to fear. I know what you did for me. For a second, I thought someone else was in the room with how frightened you are, but then I realized it was me who was causing you such fear.”

“You know what I did?”

Surely, Nigel would never admit that.

“Oh, I do. At first, I truly thought it was my dear mate, but I soon realized that I felt his first and then there was something else. My wolf answered yours. She reaches out to touch my hand, but that only causes me to flinch. Smiling faintly, she slowly changes course and strokes my hair once she’s close enough. "I heard you are to be my daughter-in-law."

“You’ve heard that too?” I look down at my blanket covered lap, unsure of how to respond. “Corbin announced it openly before even telling me.”

She just rolls her eyes and laughs. “Oh, that boy of mine. He’s always doing something before telling anyone his plans. I’m sure he didn’t mean harm, but I know he has loved you for a long time.”

As she laughs softly, I join her, but deep down, there is a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’d rather cry.

She must really think he’s just some sweet boy who’s innocent, but in reality, he’s a monster, just like his father. And his plans are not what I envisioned for myself.

"I can see that curious look in your eye. You will be such a wonderful, strong mate for my son. Now, I will let you eat and get some rest. The room is yours until you feel better. Corbin will behave himself and not try to mate with you until the full moon.”

Once again, Alana grins and rises from the bed. Just as she reaches the doorway, she turns around quickly, gives a sly wink, and disappears from sight. I inhale deeply, hold it for a moment, and then release a sigh.

"She's crazy," I whisper. “They’re all crazy.”

My mouth waters as I turn my attention toward the food. Part of me wonders if it's poisoned, but that other part of me doesn’t care. “If it is, then I’ll die and not have to deal with Corbin. Sadly, that means leaving grandmother.”

I pick up a piece of meat and bring it close to my nose, but I don't detect any strange odors or signs of poison.

Without warning, Corbin's voice echoes through the room and he suddenly appears standing in the doorway. He’s dressed in a loose pair of gray sweatpants with bare feet and a plain black t-shirt. If he was anyone else, I might have drooled.

"It's not poisoned, if that's what you're worried about."

"Do you blame me?" I ask as I shove it in my mouth.

"Well," he pauses for a moment and scratches the stubble lining his jaw. "You're the future luna, so not anymore. It may have crossed my mind before that decision, though."

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