Page 28 of Red's Beast

I try to hide my laughter as I realize everything he is spouting off is nothing but a lie. He won’t miss her. She was just someone else he used. So why does he bother pretending?

After hearing the beast’s words and now this, I’m starting to wonder if he didn’t kill her himself.

But to find out, I’ll have to go back and speak to the beast.

As I check out the scene before me, it’s all too clear. The way Nigel and Corbin are looking at each other says it all.

Ophelia caused an outburst when Corbin announced that we would mate on the next full moon in front of the pack. She had always planned to become Luna when Corbin became alpha.

What if they truly murdered her to keep things quiet?

What if everything we’ve been told about the disappearances is a lie?

My eyes dart over my shoulder to look at the rest of the pack, but their faces don’t give me the answers I seek. Most are still weeping over Ophelia.

But when I turn to look at Nigel, there’s not a tear to be found. They are dry, like mine.

I lean over to whisper something in Grandmother's ear, but she shakes her head not to speak. My eyes widen in surprise, but she has a point. We can discuss this later once we are in the safety of her cottage.

As the last part of the ceremony comes to a close, Corbin takes on the responsibility of delivering the final words before they pick up a torch and light the pyre on fire. The pack beginsmaking a line and coming up to the fire to toss in a flower each before leaving.

I take my spot at the back of the line with grandmother, but Corbin comes out of nowhere and wraps his arms around me.

“We will go together since we are the future of the pack.”

My wolf growls low in response at the mere touch of his skin against my bare arm, but I don’t shove him away. I definitely don’t want to upset the pack further.

When it’s finally our turn, I realize I don’t have a flower to throw into the fire. He oddly has two in his hand and gives me one as he leans down to caress the shell of my ear with his lips.

“It would be best if you get your wolf under control. She is not as hidden as she once was. Your growl was very audible.”

Before I can respond, he pulls me up toward the pyre and we toss our flowers into the flames. We turn around and he drags me off to the side, but continues to keep a tight grip on me.

“You could at least act happy and do your duty.”

He pulls me harder and I finally give in to walking with him.

“I’m not happy, Corbin, nor will I ever be. I’m stuck with you, apparently.”

We are near the alpha house before he stops, which is far enough away and out of earshot of other pack members.

His hand trails down my arm and stops at my wrist. “I look forward to breaking that spirit of yours.”

“Not if I break you first,” I say, hoping that I look as fierce as I feel. “So, go ahead and try me, fluffers.”

He pulls away, and a smirk pulls at the edge of his lips. A low rumble in his chest pulls my attention there. “I love when I get that reaction out of you. You will be a thrilling challenge to conquer.”

Surprisingly, I jerk my arm out of his grasp, causing him to be caught off guard. “I’m not some notch to add to your belt. When are you going to learn that?”

He looks behind me and I guess someone has passed by. Once he ensures they are far enough away, he leans down and gets in my face. “You don’t have much of a choice in this because my father has already declared it in front of everyone. This is how things are going to go and you will never get away from me. You might as well surrender your heart, body, and soul to me. It doesn’t have to be this hard.”

“What if my heart, body, and soul are not meant to be yours?”

He reaches out and slides his fingers under my chin to force me to meet his gaze. “I will claim every inch of you, little alpha. Youdon’t realize the fire you are playing with. One wrong step and you’ll burn.”

I try to jerk my chin out of his grasp, but he tightens it and keeps me still. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Claiming what is mine.”

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