Page 29 of Red's Beast

His lips crash against mine, but the kiss doesn’t last long before a loud bellow sounds from the woods.

Corbin jerks as if he’s been scalded and removes his hand from my chin as his darkened gaze moves toward the woods.

I can’t help but turn to see what is going on, even though I’m furious with him for kissing me.

Everyone within our line of sight is turned to face the woods. It’s near the path to my grandmother’s.

As the bellow sounds again, it is so hauntingly beautiful. It seems like the creature making the noise is crying out, calling for its mate in sadness. It’s as if a magnetic force has seized me and is pulling me toward it. I move in the direction of the sound, wishing to end the poor monster’s sadness.

I only make it a couple of steps before I’m jerked backward and my back meets Corbin’s hard chest.

“Lillian, what are you doing?”

“Let me go,” I whisper. “I have to answer the call.”

“What is wrong with you? You don’t need to answer that call.” He jerks at my arm again and keeps placing me flushed against his chest. “Snap out of it.”

As I feel his hand caress my back, I remember the kiss and blink a few times. Whatever had a hold of me lessens. “What are you talking about?”

Corbin comes around so I can see his face as he studies me. “You were zoned out and going toward the woods.”

"I don't know what you're talking about. The sound of loud bellowing caught my attention, and I was curious about its source, so I was just going closer to the woods to see if I could see what was making that sound.” It’s mostly a lie because now that I’ve come to know what was making that sound.

It’s the beast in the woods, but I don’t know why his call has that effect on me.

"Come on, we have to go talk to dad."

Corbin grabs my arm roughly and pulls me along beside him. I don’t fight him this time, but I turn and look at the woods. There is nothing there, sadly.

As I turn around, I become tired of being dragged along. “I can walk beside you. You don’t have to pull me along like a child.”

Corbin stops walking and gently drops his hand until we’re just holding hands. “You aren’t going to cause problems? If you do, then I can’t promise that I’ll be gentle with you.”

"That all depends on you. Are you going to cause me to make problems?" Honestly, I want nothing more than to punch him, but in a sense, he is a means to an end.

If I mate with him, then I can keep my grandmother safe. The pack will rally behind us and I can hopefully keep Corbin in line.

But can that be done? Will he even listen to me?

I shake my head and try to focus on the present moment.

“Come on, then. Let’s go, Lillian.”

As I follow behind Corbin, I can’t resist sneaking a quick glance at the woods. Sadly, there is still nothing there and a sigh of disappointment slips out of my lips.

Oh, how I wish I could see him just once.

When I turn to follow Corbin once more, a barely audible whisper in the back of my mind catches my attention.

Lily.

My wolf rushes to the surface, preening and ready to be seen.Is that my man?

I feel a little awkward about the sudden possession. How could the monster be mine? Sure, he claims I’m his, but it’s never made any sense.

I think about running to him right now, but I don’t know what good it would do for me to go to him. Would I be able to calm him?

We don’t even know each other.

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