Page 21 of Red's Beast

Corbin closes the last bit of distance between us and leans down until he’s about an inch away from my face. “Wouldn’t he? He wants to pretend the other day didn’t happen, but even he can’t deny the match we’d make.”

"You know Ophelia won't like this. You just need to run along and forget your interest in me,” I say as I take a step backward to get away from him.

Of course, he isn’t letting me go that easily.

He smirks, but stays directly in front of me, moving with me. “Stop trying to push me away. I’ve always known there is something special about you and now I know what it is. The alpha inside of you calls to me. We just need to bring her out.”

I bite down on my bottom lip to keep me from laughing. “My alpha calls to you? Does it? Are you sure about that?”

"Oh, you can't deny it. Stop pretending. I bet you'd love to become my mate."

When I gaze into his eyes, I see he is serious and I doubt he’d take no for an answer. “I think you might be wrong about that because I have never once been interested in you.”

He closes the gap between us again and reaches out to slide his hand across my stomach. “Think of the future alphas we’d bring into this world. They’d be strong and perfect. A blending of the alpha lines. We’d finally be joined as one.”

“You just want to make me vomit, don’t you?” I try to get away as my wolf rises to the surface to express her thoughts, but I’m abruptly cut off.

Corbin grabs me by both of my arms and traps me. His lips descend against mine, devouring me whole. I try to break free of his grasp and after several seconds pass, I finally muster enough strength to break his hold without showing too much of my abilities.

He takes a few awkward steps back and laughs.

“Are you insane? Don’t pretend that you liked me all this time. You hated me until you saw what I am. Do you think I’m just going to be your mate after all the horrible things you have put me through?”

He looks off toward the door as he reaches up to touch his lips. “It would be a shame if something happened to your only remaining family member, wouldn’t it?”

His tone is friendly, but his words are brutal. Though I’d love to think he’s not serious, deep down, I know what he’d do.

“You’re threatening me.”

His gaze finally meets mine as they shift to a glowing orange. He takes one clawed finger and drags it across his lips, nicking it. Blood bubbles to the surface, the smell reaching me in a matter of seconds.

“It’s not a threat. You know how things work around here, so you should think twice about my offer. With me, you can keep her safe and I might let you help me rule the pack. Everyone would love you and look up to you. It would make your life better, wouldn't it?”

Though his offer is tempting, I don’t want it. Not when I’m not sure what my connection to the beast in the woods is.

"Do you have anything you want me to clean or not?" I ask as I look away.

“Oh, have I mentioned that I love your determination to clean? Sure, I have something you can clean.” He heads toward the steps and I think it’s probably the bathroom again.

I grab the cleaning supplies from the base of the stairs and follow him up quietly. Instead of dropping me off at the bathroom, he leads me further down the hall, where the bedrooms are.

He stops at his door and swings it open. “I’d like for you to help me clean this room, since it will be the place we share soon. It needs a good cleaning and airing out.”

"Corbin, I am not mating with you. Your dad won't allow it because of where I come from. You're better off with Ophelia. Clearly it is her you truly want because your room reeks of her.”

He has to want her, not me. I can’t be his mate, nor do I want to be.

Before I can even move, he reaches out and grabs my arm above the elbow and yanks me toward him. He then proceeds to drag me into his room, where all the scents are intermingled.

It causes me to gag as I pick up on other smells.

"See, you need to replace her scent with your own. Your wolf is already wanting to, and you know it. That is why you are fighting me about it.”

“No, I’m resisting the urge to throw up because I can smell what you two have been doing in here. It’s saturated with your entwined scents.”

A soft laugh escapes him as he looks around the room. “You are so adorable. You’re embarrassed about your feelings for me, but you don’t have to be. I know what your heart desires.”

“Ha! I hate the scent of you two together, you nitwit. This has nothing to do with me wanting to claim you. I don’t like how you or her smell at all.”

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