Page 78 of Red's Beast

Accept it? I just have to accept it? Really? That is your solution to this. We have gone through all these years of torture because of Corbin and his family, so you just dismiss it because he’s being nice to you right now. What happens when that side you hate comes back and he throws you in the dungeon again? What if he forces himself on you on your mating night when you really don’t want it? I have stayed silent, but I can’t let you do this to us.

My lips press into a thin line. “What are you going to do about it, wolf? Once he marks me as his, you will fall into line and we won’t be in disagreement anymore, because I will no longer be able to kill him.”

She grows quiet and I feel her slip away into the depths of my mind. I rub a hand over my face as tears roll down my cheeks. This is the first time my wolf and I have ever disagreed on anything, but what does she expect me to do?

My alpha abilities only come when they want to, and the rest of the time, I'm lower than an omega. It's not like I can attack him and win at this moment. If I attempt anything, then I get myself killed and leave my grandmother defenseless.

The very thought of my grandmother brings even more tears. She's all I've had and the thought of her leaving before her time makes the pain in my chest worse. I can’t allow something to happen to her when I have the power to stop it, even if it means mating that dipstick.

As I sit on the edge of the bed, the tears continue to flow, and I can't stop them. The door opens and startles me. I rush to wipe the tears from my face, but it's too late, and he has caught me.

Corbin steps in, a tray in his hands filled with what looks to be snacks. At first, he has a smile, but it falls quickly once he sees my tear-stained face. I tremble with fear of what he might do, but instead of anger, he looks concerned instead.

He quietly walks over to the bed and sets the tray down before kneeling in front of me. "What are the tears for?"

I'm dumbfounded. His voice is still firm, but he isn't doing it in a scolding manner. I finally find the words to say once I realize he's still waiting for me to answer. "I just miss my Grandmother."

He nods and takes my hand in his. "Tomorrow, you will see her. I will have her brought over first thing in the morning. Will that make you happy?"

Happy? He's actually asking about my happiness. I don't know what his mother did to get him to act like this, but I'm thankful for it. Reaching out, I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him.

At first, he's stiff, but he slowly relaxes and puts his arms around me in return. "You're welcome. I didn't know you would act like this if I was just a little nicer."

My wolf chooses that moment to pop in.I hate you for doing this.

Trust me, wolf. I hate myself for doing this too.

Instead of her receding, I shove her back. He isn't what I dreamed of, and this life has never been what I wanted, but for my grandfather’s pack, I will survive this. This is the best situation that can come out of this.

At least if he continues to be nice, the arrangement will be tolerable. I might even grow to like him in time, maybe even love him. I feel my wolf's disgust rising, but shove that down as well.

"You've made me very happy. I look forward to seeing her tomorrow."

A low growl rumbles in his chest as I continue to hug him. I can't believe he's actually bringing her here and not pitching a fit over it.

Corbin leans forward and kisses me. It’s a brief kiss and not what I expect at all, especially from him. "Goodnight, Kitten."

"Goodnight, Corbin."

He leaves the room, once again without a fuss or trying to claim me. I rub my hand across my face to finish drying the tears and look toward the adjoining bathroom. A nice bath will help me relax, but of course, he left me all these snacks.

After a moment of debating, I decide to leave the snacks behind for a bit since they are wrapped and take a bath.

As I slowly rise from the bed, my eyes dart around, checking to see if the bedroom door opens or anything. Surely, he won’t just leave me like this on the night before. He had been so determined, but maybe he really has changed. Once I’m standing, the door still hasn’t opened and I breathe a sigh of relief.

I make my way over to the bathroom door and open it, but only a crack. Peering inside, I look around, but I’m not sure what I’m looking for. It’s the same as it has been when I arrived with no changes. Part of me, deep down, is hoping there’s some kind of trapdoor that reveals itself and I can escape.

Sadly, there is no such thing here. It's just a simple bathroom where nothing magical happens that leads to my freedom. Even the window is too small for me to go through. Not that I could make it out without him hearing me. He'd probably find me halfway out of it and pull me back in. Then it would lead to other things happening that I don’t want.

I kind of enjoy what arrangement we have now and don’t want to risk his wrath. Freedom isn't something I will ever experience anyway, and I might as well not get my hopes up now.

Sighing, I strip the pajamas off and look in the mirror for a moment. As I look myself over, I can't believe this is what has become of me. Turning quickly away from the mirror, I start the water in the tub and sit on the side to wait for it to fill.

I turn the water up as hot as I can stand and wait another moment for it to be the perfect soaking temperature. Cutting the water off, I ease myself into it and let out a groan. My muscles are tense, and I didn't realize how tight they had become until now.

As I sink further into the tub, I barely hear the knock at the door. "Lillian?"

I recognized Alana immediately. "I'm in the tub."

---