Page 36 of Spider Demon's Kiss

Swallowing as the heat billowed around my neck, I flinched as the sting of his strikes spread. Fighting through it to my feet, all I could do was look down at him. His anger was gone, but I could still see his wolf.

“Now, go to the bathroom and wash your face. When you’re done, we will sit and enjoy the meal you have prepared.”

Without a word, I did what he had commanded. I didn’t want to wash off the hours of work I had done, but I was compelled to do what he said. It was like he had a power over me.

I had heard that alpha wolves had a voice that their pack couldn’t disobey? Was that why I was doing what he told me to do? Because he was my alpha? But I wasn’t a wolf. Could he still have made me a part of his pack?

Staring into my makeup mirror, I took a breath and grabbed a towel. Stripping away the layers slowly, what was revealed underneath was burnt and ugly. I looked away. I had done what he had commanded. All that was left was to return to him.

Remembering the force in his voice, I took another breath and did what I was told. Exiting the bathroom, I entered the living room. Unable to look up, I approached the dining tablefinding him seated. Retrieving the spaghetti bowl, I placed it on the table and took a seat next to him.

Still unable to meet his eyes, I sat listening to him dish up. When he was done, I knew it was my turn but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t look up at him. I couldn’t get up. All I could do was sit there meekly. This wasn’t me. Yet, here I was.

“Kuroi,” Dante said drawing my attention.

I turned to him without meeting his gaze.

“Look at me,” he said softly. When I didn’t, he repeated it with authority. “Look at me!”

I did. His eyes were different. The wolf was gone. What was left was softer, kind.

“I don’t want you to think that I don’t like your makeup and dresses. Believe me, I do. You look beautiful.”

“I don’t,” I admitted no longer able to hold his gaze.

Leaning across the table he took my chin between his fingers. His touch sent shivers of pleasure through me. Lifting my chin, I settled in his eyes.

“I said, believe me. You do.”

“Then, why?”

Dante let go of my chin and this time was the one to look away. Scanning his plate, it was a moment before he returned to me vulnerably.

“Because we have been married for three days and I barely know what my husband looks like. I would like to meet him.”

“You will be disappointed,” I admitted.

“Let me be the judge. Will you do that?”

I didn’t respond. He took it as agreement.

“Good. And so you know, so far, I like what I see,” he said with a smile.

He smiled. My husband smiled at me. Why? What did it mean? All I knew was that I liked it. I shouldn’t have,considering he was clearly a bad judge of character. But he was… sweet.

“Now,” Dante said relaxing, “will you join me for this excellent meal you prepared.”

I was thinking about telling him that I had bought it, but why ruin the moment. Dishing a little of it onto my plate, I dug in realizing I hadn’t thought things all the way through. I hated spaghetti. Always had. So sitting there eating it, I considered if being forced to eat something I didn’t like was my fault too.

Our meal continued in silence and ended as quietly. Clearing the table like a domestic goddess, I returned to my seat knowing our first true conversation wasn’t done.

“Your stuff is still in the living room,” he eventually said staring at my trunks.

“I didn’t know where to put it,” I admitted feeling the pinch of shame.

“I see,” he replied thinking for a moment. “You can move yourself into the spare room. You can get comfortable and consider it yours.”

“No,” I said without a second of thought.

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