Page 17 of Red's Beast

"What goodies did you bring me today?" She rubs her hands together greedily. “I cooked breakfast and lunch, but I enjoy it so much more when you cook it for me and bring it here.”

“I brought you the rest of the baked chicken, but this time it’s not in pasta. There are some vegetable side dishes as well. I know it’s not much, but I thought you might like it.”

I take the lid of the basket off, and she reaches in to get it out. Once it’s in her hand, she realizes it’s cold.

“You had to work all day again, didn’t you? Have you eaten?”

“No,” I say as my gaze drops to the table.

She busies herself, taking things out, and then she finds the dessert. I made enough the day before when I got to cook for two days. Hopefully, she enjoys everything.

“This is more than enough, my dear. What did you make this time?”

“Oh, that’s icebox pie, just like granddaddy made. Well, I never got to sample it, but I used mom’s recipe you gave me.”

She almost squeals with delight. “Oh, you know I love that. I can’t quite make it right, even with the recipe, but yours is just like his.”

It makes me smile knowing that I do something like him. I never got the chance to meet him, but according to the stories, I know he was quite the alpha and man.

“How about we discuss everything that happened today while we eat dinner? You look a little frail today.”

“You’re not going to like what I tell you.” Though I wish to hide what happened over the last day and night, I know I can’t hide it forever.

“Try me,” she says with a smile as she sets the pie down in the center of all the other food. But her gaze keeps locking onto the pie. She reaches out and drags her finger around the pie pan. “I’ll be back for you later.”

“Grandmother, I don’t know how to say this, but I’ll just say it.” I look up at the ceiling as I bite my lip. When I look down, our gazes lock. “My secret is out.”

Beast

I slink away, further into the woods, as she walks into the cottage. Of course, all that consumes my mind is what I have done.

I almost claimed her.

Almost.

The path to her grandmother’s is technically within my domain, but I never let anyone see me on the path. It would cause too many questions.

But this new urge further proves she was born to be mine. Though her wolf is dormant, I feel it in my bones and it’s getting harder to resist.

It seems like it will be easy for her to give in, too. Her fear was easily squashed once she felt my teeth on her throat, dragging down to the base.

If I had given in, I would have taken her right then and there. And then when the time was right, I would have sunk my teeth into her delicate neck and made her mine.

But I can’t do that. Not like this.

I growl out of frustration and quickly shove it aside. The bond between us is open and growing, so too many thoughts about her and it will be like a wide open door.

I fall to a heap on the ground near the edge of the woods closest to her grandmother’s. A short snort escapes me as my thoughts run wild. No, I have done the right thing.

If I had taken her, then it wouldn’t have been her choice and I would not be free.

When I take my next breath, I close my eyes and try to calm my racing heart. There is nothing more in this world I want more than her, and I don’t even know what has come over me.

This feeling bubbling inside of me has come out of nowhere and refuses to leave. If it keeps up, it will only be a matter of time before I can’t stop myself.

I rise to my feet and look through the bushes toward her grandmother’s cottage. Or I should say, what was once my parent’s home.

There is nothing I can do right now, but being closer to her helps ease the feeling in my chest.

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