Page 55 of Red's Beast

A shiver runs down my spine as I enter the narrow path between the trees.

"Earth to Lillian. Are you not listening? You seem like you're somewhere else,” Corbin says as he catches up with me.

Oh, how I wish I was somewhere else, like wrapped up in the arms of the beast.

Blush creeps into my cheeks and Corbin notices. "Is that pretty tint in your cheeks for me?"

He eases closer and brushes his thumb across my jaw. "It won't be much longer, and I will satisfy every dream you have, kitten."

I become outraged and my wolf rises to the surface, bristling.Kitten? Who does he think he’s calling Kitten? I’m not a cat. I’ll chew him up and spit him out before he can blink. Better yet,I’m going to call the big bad wolf lurking in the woods to take care of him, just like Nigel.

I try to hide my surprise and clear my throat before erecting a wall between us. She may believe he is ours, grandmother may echo that sentiment, but right now, I don’t know how it will ever work. Doing anything to Corbin will lead to my grandmother’s death.

If she is safe, I will shred this village apart and end all of this once and for all, but that isn't an option right now. I sigh and close my eyes to fight the tears that threaten to fall. "Okay, what were you saying? I'm sorry I zoned out."

It's not exactly what I want to say, but I know that will smooth things over with him and hopefully keep him calm.

"I love when you speak like that. It makes me want to reward you for being a good girl." He reaches up and runs his finger down my neck, causing me to shudder in disgust. Corbin mistakes my actions as one of excitement. "Is my Kitten excited?"

"Yes, very. So, what is on the agenda for today?" I'm not excited at all, but I plaster a fake smile on my face, anyway.

"Well, I'm taking you shopping for your dress. One of the women in the village makes the most beautiful pieces and I think you will love it.”

I feel completely dumbfounded by his words. Why do I need a dress?

“Our mating ceremony is only six days away. Don’t you think you need something nicer besides all the rags you own?”

"Oh, I know that. I wasn't even thinking about a dress. There is just so much to do."

Satisfied with my response, he gives a nod and heads for the door of the alpha house, while leaving me at my house. "I'll be at your house in forty-five minutes, so be pretty for me."

“I’ll be ready, Corbin.”

Lillian

I don’t dare tell him that I’m running back to my grandmother’s cottage. Instead, I wait until he’s out of sight, then rush toward it without a word. Once I make it to her cottage and swing the door open, I notice she’s not in there. I walk quickly to her bedroom and find her sitting on the edge of the bed with a smirk plastered on her face.

“Well, I thought you were off on that date.”

“It’s not a real date and you know it,” I snap.

I cross my arms over my chest as I stare at her for a solid minute in silence. She only snickers and slowly stands.

“Oh, my poor child, you know what you must do, but you keep running from it. No one can decide this for you, so you better figure it out soon.” Using her cane, she supports herself and hobbles closer to me. “No one, and I mean absolutely no one else, can do this for you.”

A deep sigh escapes me as her hand rests on my shoulder.

“Yes, I know, but it’s not like you are very forthcoming about things. You left me with two options, but I don’t know the reasoning behind it. Nothing adds up. It’s like a puzzle with no end pieces.”

She laughs softly as she removes her hand from my shoulder. “My dear, you don’t need to put the pieces together to look at it. It’s a simple choice and the fate of everyone lies on your shoulders. Just look within, and that will tell you what you need.” She glides past me and heads into the kitchen. “Do you want breakfast while you are here before your date?”

“It’s not a date,” I say again under my breath. Then I look around her bedroom and the memories begin haunting me. This is where I learned my parents were gone. I choke back the sob threatening to escape. “I don’t want breakfast. It’s time that I go home and get ready. But when I’m done, you and I are going to discuss my recent shift.”

When I step into the hallway, I can already hear her shuffling through cabinets and getting things ready. Once I’m in the kitchen, she’s looking at me with a curious gaze.

“Oh, I remember that, but I’m asking you if you want breakfast?”

My eyes widen with surprise as I realize what she means. “Are you insinuating that I should be late for the date? You know he will be outraged if I am late and there is no telling what he will do.”

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