Page 56 of Red's Beast

She quirks one brow as a mischievous look crosses her face. “Do I look like I’m concerned about what will happen to me? I’m an old woman who lost her mate years ago. My time is coming, but you have a full life ahead of you, and I don’t want you stuck with Corbin, even if it means I die in the end.”

I pull out a chair at the dining room table and plop down with a hard thud. “So, you want me to lose you and be with him? That’s what is going to happen. No matter what I choose, he will not stop until he owns all of me just because I’m another alpha and he wants strong pups. At least if you are alive, then it will be bearable.”

Her eyes cut in my direction as she grabs some eggs from the refrigerator. “If there are no more ties to this pack, then maybe you will embrace yourself and do what needs to be done.”

I don’t even want to begin processing what she means by those words. “It’s fine.”

I scoot the chair away from the table and stand before heading to the door. “I’m going on that date now.”

As I open the door, I hear her calling out for me, but it’s too late. I have made up my mind to do things this way.

I will not lose her. Yes, I may be accepting a fate that is less than what I deserve, but I have no other choice.

As I run down the narrow path, I hear the familiar rustling of leaves, but I don’t flinch.

“I’m sorry, beast, but I have to choose my family,” I whisper as a single tear slides down my cheek. “Whatever destiny we may have can never be.”

I run toward my house before I hear his words or think too much about what I’ve said. Once I’m inside, my heart begins to pound and I throw up every single shield in my mind I can. If I hear his voice, I’ll be a goner.

I quickly wipe my face and head to the bathroom to take a shower. Everything is like a blur as I get undressed and step under the warm spray. Scrubbing myself and washing my hair takes no time at all. I feel like I’m in a trance.

Once I’m out, I head to the closet and try to find something to wear. None of my outfits are really that nice. Mostly long dull colored skirts with holes in places. The blouses are thin and very worn.I only have two pairs of pants that are decent, but I try to save those.

But that isn’t what I find. I gasp as I find brighter colored fabric in its place. Everything looks like something Ophelia would wear and it makes me cringe at the thought of it touching my skin. When did this happen and who would dare fill my closet with such nonsense?

Suddenly, I remember opening the door without unlocking it. “Corbin.”

The door to my small home opens with a creak, with heavy boots taking a step inside. “Kitten, are you ready?”

I grimace as I hear that ridiculous pet name. Who calls a wolf Kitten? I shove that thought aside and suppress the growl threatening to escape. “No, I’m not quite. I’m just admiring all these bright pieces of clothing.”

I can’t even call them beautiful because they’re not to me.

His heavy steps echo throughout the house and then he reaches my room, which isn’t where I want him.

I’m in a towel, standing in my closet. This is not a good situation to be in.

“And why are you not ready? It’s been forty-six minutes.”

I freeze as he starts walking again. Then he’s behind me, sucking in a breath. I don’t dare turn around.

“Oh, Kitten,” he purrs. “You’re making me not want to wait until the full moon to claim you.”

I barely glance over my shoulder, only to see his glowing orange eyes looking at me. “Corbin, no, we can’t do that. Our union will not be blessed if we do.”

Slowly, I turn and back up until I’m pressed against the back wall of the closet, against the clothes. I clutch the towel tightly to my chest and hope he doesn’t try anything.

He stalks closer, slower, as his eyes seem to glow even brighter. “Why are you running, little alpha? Is someone scared of the big bad wolf?”

I want to laugh, but I hide my amusement. Right now is not the time for that. I’m in danger and this could end badly.

“Corbin, we can’t,” I remind him. “I’m not scared of you.”

The big bad wolf is the last person I fear. But Corbin is different. He’s not like the beast in the woods.

Corbin stops just in front of me, his hand reaching out to touch the back of my hand, where I clutch the towel. “Maybe you should be.”

His hand trails up my arm a little way until it begins tracing down the towel to the bottom. While I’m watching that hand,I completely miss his other hand moving. When he grasps me around the throat, I quickly look up and meet his gaze.

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