Page 76 of Brandy Snap: Part One

“Stop it! Get off me!” I swiped my hand behind me, but the grip on my hair was so strong that the more I struggled, the tighter it grew. I couldn’t get away.

“Kai, help me!” I shouted as her pointed nails scratched at my neck.

“Oh, don’t bother asking him,” she scoffed. “He’s so placid, I doubt he can even speak. That’s what he gets for being born a freak. It’s a miracle he even survived when he presented with a body like that.”

I hissed out at how deeply her words cut through me. How could she talk about Kai that way? I didn’t care that she was hurting me. I looked for Kai amongst the chaos of my hair over my face, and all I saw there was indifference. Like he was watching an uninteresting play.

But I could feel him too. The whispers of pain and regret fluttering through me weren’t mine. And I didn’t miss the way his hand tightened around the base of his fan, my bite mark showing clear against the black wood.

“Not a single bite,” Zania scoffed again. “How can you even call yourself my son’s mate if he hadn’t buried his teeth in your neck? What’s the matter with you?”

I gasped as her hand plummeted, and she snapped my head back, exposing my throat.

“We’re saving ourselves for the Selection Ceremony!” I choked out.

“How romantic,” she said with so much scorn I felt it deep in my body.

I wanted Kai to move. I needed someone todosomething. I was too weak to protect myself.

But he just stood there, staring. His body stiff, his arms trembling. I had to believe the empty look in his eyes was fake just so I could make sense of what was happening.

Her nose pressed against the back of my neck, and disgust swelled as she inhaled.

“You reek of Sin.” She sneered before she flung me away. I toppled on the heels Kai chose for me, crying out as I fell into his arms. He caught me, spinning us so that I clung to his side, my heart thundering and aching at the same time.

“Always so judgmental, Zania,” he tutted, none of the anger he happily laid on me all the time in his voice.

My mind raced as I caught my breath, but it was like all of me had stopped working. Something was going on with those omega senses inside me, but I couldn’t understand what they were screaming. I just had a need, but I didn’t know if I was angry or hurt or horny. Or just overstimulated from being buried in Kai’s arms.

Zania folded her arms. “No bites, not a single trace of my son’s scent on her. You say this is your mate, but don’t make me laugh.”

“If I ever make you laugh, it will be an accomplishment,” he replied with a hitch to the corner of his lips.

I didn’t know if it was an accident, but he began stroking my arm with the hand that gripped his fan.

His scent grew thicker, his aura stronger, and he held me close.

How could she speak to another person so viciously?

Zania’s gaze snapped to Kai, and he suddenly went quiet.

“If I hear another word from either of you tonight, then the deal with my son is off.” Her sharp nails tapped against her forearm as she glared at me. “I am being lenient by allowing you to remain here tonight, Ms Sanderson, but I will not take any disobedience.”

Kai sucked in a quick breath through his nose. Zania’s face spread into a horrible smirk as he didn’t reply. It felt wrong for him to be so quiet.

“Yes, I thought so. So don’t talk back to me again. You know what’s at risk. I’m not Camille’s mother, and it would be far easier if you chose an omega from the list now, rather than us having to wait until the Selection Ceremony.”

Kai hummed, hugging me from the side. “We’ve chosen our omega,” Kai replied.

“Don’t lie to me either. I won’t tolerate it.”

I needed to ask what they were talking about, but I was sure it would only lead to more abuse from her.

“And I must tell Sin to get thatthingunder control,” she said to him. “She’s even worse than you.” She waved a hand as she sauntered off, and we were both left alone in silence.

We watched her go, both of us still. I wanted to look at him, to check on him, to make sure he was okay, but my heart stung so much that I could only push out three words.

“What was that?” I whispered to him, my eyes panning the crowd. The few people in the foyer had gone back to their conversations by the time Zania had turned around.

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