Page 5 of Bound to the Dragon
He looks like he wants to say something else, but he changes his mind at the last minute. “Try to remember why you’re doing this.”
I snort and see him to the door. “Thanks for the ride and the unsolicited advice.”
He grimaces again, and I close the door in his face, locking it behind him. I collapse on the settee. A giant sigh shudders through my body, tears burning behind my eyes.
But I won’t let myself cry. I am stronger than this. It won’t be so bad. Blaze will warm up to me, and I will warm up to him. We just need to spend some time together, get to know one another. Or at least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself.
I will secure our pack and theirs with this union, as matings do. A mating between packs always strengthens a bond, and an heir for Shadow Pine will enhance Blaze’s standing in his pack.
As long as they don’t know the truth behind what happened when my father was Beta. No one needs to know that their Alpha mated with such a deceitful territory. Blaze can never learn the truth about how we gained our power, or this whole arrangement will crumble. All this weight on my shoulders. I have to grin and bear it.
A gentle knock on the door shatters my moment of self-pity.
Squaring my shoulders, I take a deep breath and stand. “Who is it?”
“Miss Madison, my name is Lillian. I’m your personal assistant.”
Reluctantly, I open the door and find myself face-to-face with a stunning staff member, her blue eyes cast downward. “May I help you unpack?”
“I don’t need any help.” The words roll off my lips before I can stop them.
But they’re futile. She’s coming in whether or not I want her to.
“I’m not to leave your side,” she informs me.
My eyes narrow at her wording, “On whose orders?”
She pales at the question. “Miss, I’m your assistant.”
“I don’t need any help.” I don’t know why I’m arguing. Naturally, the Alpha would provide his future Luna with assistance.
The sooner I embrace my new role, the easier this will be.
She gawks at me helplessly, and I steel myself from taking out any more of my anger on her. It’s not her fault, and not allowing her to stay is only going to make things worse and possibly get her in trouble.
“Fine,” I agree reluctantly. “You can wait here.”
I gesture for Lillian to sit in the front room. She looks around uncomfortably, as if she’d rather not be left sitting here but doesn’t know how to handle the dismissal well.
“Dinner is in about an hour. Would you like help picking something to wear? The Alpha is particular about dinner attire.”
I bet he is. I bet he’s particular about everything.
I almost refuse, but I stop myself. I need to play along if I want this to work. Blaze is going to have to like me, and I want to like him, too.
“Okay,” I agree. “I haven’t started unpacking yet, though.”
Eagerly, Lillian steps forward. “I can help you with that.”
I relent and allow her to assist me in bringing the bags into the neighboring bedroom. It defies my expectations. A huge, canopied bed sits in the center of the room, enshrouded in sheer curtains. The window sits open, allowing for a succulent breeze to filter through, bringing through wafts of bluebonnets.
A giant armoire sits next to the balcony doors, and on the opposite wall, a bathroom door sits open. As Lillian opens my bags, I keep one eye on her and explore the bathroom suite. A double jacuzzi tub takes up the far wall, against a one-way glass overlooking the fields beyond.
The enforcer hadn’t been kidding about the room having everything I needed. I can’t think of one luxury that isn’t at my disposal between the double sinks and lines of expensive soaps. There’s nothing missing as far as I can see, and I look hard.
Blaze’s staff has taken care of everything.
On the surface, this place is everything I need, but in my heart, I know it can’t be. I’m not home, with my pack, my family, where I belong. A deep pang of melancholy pierces my heart, and I’m almost brought to my knees.
