Page 126 of Red's Beast

I laugh. “You already did when you made me a deal to get the beast. You were selfish, even then.”

“Please, Lillian.”

Something else takes over and I have to ask him something. "So if I asked you to serve me on your hands and knees as you once asked me, you'd do it without question."

He only says one word. "Yes."

An odd sensation floods through me, and I realize instantly that my wolf is pleased with his submission. She rushes to the surface, my eyes shifting and my canines lengthen.

Let me out.

“No,” I whisper. This can’t be happening. If I let her out, then I’m losing everything here and now.”

Just a little bite and it's all over with. Once we are mated, we'll only feel something for him. It’s going to be okay. We can do this and will, for the good of the pack.

"Do you even know what you're asking for?" That question is meant for my wolf, but I accidentally say it out loud.

I glance up at Corbin, who is still looking up at me while he cradles me to his chest. "Yes, I know what I'm asking for and I want every moment. Anything that involves having you by my side is what I want."

"Even if I hate you for it?" Tears line my eyes as my wolf pushes to be set free.

I’m holding her back by a string and I fear what is about to happen.

"You can hate me, but the bond will make you not care. Once it's done, you're mine. Forever." He squeezes me tighter, my face pushing against his chest. “It won’t be bad. That much I can promise you. We will be unstoppable.”

His scent fills my nostrils, and for once, it doesn’t make me gag. All I can smell is lavender and rosemary.

For a moment, I stand there, frozen in his arms, while my wolf fights for dominance. She wants out. One slip and all of this will end with me becoming his mate.

If I just cave, I can finally feel something other than being torn. It will be nice just to give in and the mere thought of it consumes me.

"Get your paws off my granddaughter, you mongrel!"

I jump as I hear Grandmother’s words fill the air and peel myself away from him.

“Let me go, Corbin. I need to chop wood and you can go collect some, too.”

He finally lets me go and I slip between the trees. Every step is painful as my wolf fights for control. Even putting distance between us is failing. I can smell him.

“Please no,” I beg my wolf.

Sadly, it’s too late. I stop and turn to look over my shoulder, but I know what will greet me. Our gazes meet in a moment of lust and agony.

And then my wolf breaks free.

I'm free. We must take a mate.

My shift happens so fast that I barely feel it. When I land on all fours as my bones break, I let out a short scream, and it's replaced by a howl.

Why him?

Oh, right. He is an alpha and is the only one who can handle me.

I look over to my right, only to see Corbin already in his wolf’s form. His dark gray fur pulls me right in until I meet his glowing orange gaze.

He comes toward me, sniffing the air.

In my head, I’m screaming for this to stop, but now that my wolf is finally free and accepting her fate, she has other things in mind. The first thing on her list is taking a mate, though I still can feel the disgust buried somewhere deep within.

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