Page 26 of Owned In Misty Mountain

I stand there for a second.

Just long enough to hear the deadbolt slide into place.

Then I walk away with a head full of thunder.

* * *

The second the door closes behind me, I slam my fist into the wall.

I stand there breathing like I just ran a damn mile uphill with fifty pounds on my back.

What the fuck just happened?

I worshipped her. I marked her.

I made her mine.

And now she’s gone.

Because I didn’t ask?

Jesus.

I scrub a hand over my face and pace the kitchen.

Every part of me is wound too tight, heart pounding like it’s ready to fight something—or someone.

She should be here.

Safe. Fed. Warm. With me.

That was the whole point.

I can still smell her on my skin.

Flowers and sweetness. Fuck, so damn sweet it hurts.

She was so damn perfect this morning, tucked against my chest, her breath warm on my neck.

And now?

Now I’ve got a cold bed and a heavy heart.

—-

I don’t sleep that night.

I just lie there in the dark, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything.

She looked at me like I was a stranger.

Like I’d taken something from her.

Like I wasn’t the man she thought I was.

You didn’t give her a choice.

That thought lands hard.

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