Page 76 of Red's Beast

With a smile, she leaves the room and I'm left to wonder why she is being so nice to me. I may not know her that well, but I know Corbin and how he operates. He and his father were never nice, unless for a price. His mother told me how to survive with him, but I don’t know if I can.

To be compliant and obedient is like a slap to the face. I'm an alpha and meant to lead. To be his mate meant defying everything that I am and becoming something I’m not nor will I ever be.

I pick up the sleeve of the dress and admire it for a moment. It makes me feel weird inside, though I don't wish to wear it to mate with Corbin. Letting go of the sleeve, I fall to my knees on the floor. It feels all too real, and I realize I'm out of time. Two days is all I have to finish this.

Can I kill Corbin and save my Grandmother? What of the pack then? Will they forgive me and follow my lead or will they rebel against me?

Sighing, I know I can't go through with it. If I do, the pack will rebel and probably kill my Grandmother, then me. There is no true simple answer, even though I wish there was.

Another knock on the door distracts me, and I look toward it. I can already smell him standing on the other side. "Just a minute."

Corbin replies cockily, "You know, I don't mind if you aren't dressed."

I snarl my nose in disgust and rush to stand, clearing my face of all emotion. "I'm ready."

He swings the door open and takes one look at where I stand. After quickly eyeing the dress, his gaze returns to mine. "I've come to fetch you for dinner."

I walk over without complaint and take his arm. "Your mother mentioned steak, and I'd love some."

Corbin ensures he keeps my arm wrapped securely in his as we walk to the dining room. I'm trying my best to heed his mother's words about being compliant. Little does she know that I will use that to work things in my favor.

I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to pull this off, but I have to fulfill my destiny and save my pack from his family. As the old alpha’s granddaughter, I must bring the pack under our family again.

Good luck doing that. You know the answers and you refuse to listen, so you won't receive my help.

My wolf lets out a huff and recedes to the depths of my mind. She hasn't been in the best of moods since the beast left. My decision to do this doesn’t help matters. It's not like I've dreamed of mating Corbin, either. So, now she is furious and done with me.

I peer out of the corner of my eye at him. It's not that he isn't handsome. He's tall and well built, a very sturdy mate and alpha. He wears his blonde hair a little long, but it's neatly styled in a messy sort of way. His eyes are more honey than dark brown, especially when his wolf takes over. He's a man most women would love to have and coo over, but his attitude is where he loses me.

I'm an alpha in my own right, and he refuses to respect me, so how can I give him mine?

We arrive at the table, his mother full of smiles as she takes in my arm wrapped in his. "Lovely to see you came to eat with us."

"Yes, I feel it will be good since we will be officially family in a few days." I plaster the fake warm smile on and hope he doesn't sense my tension.

He escorts me to a seat, but then sits down. It's not that I expect him to pull out my chair first, but I feel like an idiot standing here because I thought he was going to. I grab the back of the chair and start to pull it out, but he places his hand over mine.

"Stop. I have your seat already pulled out."

I look around the table, but his mother is seated in the only chair pulled out beside him. He chuckles low and pats his lap. "Right here, mate."

Resisting the urge to bite him, I step closer and lower myself onto his lap. It's downright embarrassing and my cheeks show it by turning flaming red. "Thank you for such a warm seat."

I look over at his mother, and she looks proud of how I respond. My hunger suddenly vanishes as Corbin wraps his arms around my stomach and pulls me closer to his chest. My back is stiff, and I tense up further.

"Lillian, why are you so stiff? It’s like hugging a board.”

"I'm not used to this yet, but I'm sure I will be in time." I offer him my best smile, and he bites his lip.

Oh, this being compliant stuff is for the birds.

Suddenly, he reaches over with his knife and stabs the steak on the platter. I watch as he brings it onto his plate. "Would you like the first bite?"

I glance toward his mother and then at him, unsure of what to do. She is too busy cutting her steak to see my worried gaze as I plead with my eyes on how to answer this. Corbin seems to realize what I'm doing and softly grabs my chin. "I offered you the first bite, Kitten. This means you are more than welcome to take it."

He cuts the steak, jostling me as he reaches around me to do so. Once the piece of meat is on the fork, he brings it up to my mouth. "Open, Kitten."

I slowly open, and he places the steak right behind my teeth. Slowly taking the steak off the fork with my teeth, he eyes me greedily. He pulls away slightly, watching me intently as I finish chewing. I have to admit they make a good steak, but it's unnerving how he watches me.

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