Page 12 of His to Claim
I turn my attention back to him. "Will I ever see my family again?"
Dhakar stops walking and turns to look at me. "Your family…you mean your parents? No, I doubt you will ever see them again.”
My heart is breaking into a million pieces.
"There is no need to cry," he says softly. "I am sorry, but as my mate, you cannot leave Bellaria."
I feel sick. I try to hold back my tears. I do not want to cry in front of him.
He takes my hand and holds it to his chest. "I want you as my mate, Emma."
“Why can’t you understand? This can never happen. I won’t allow it because it’s wrong,” I tell him.
His eyes go cold and hard. "Wrong?" he snaps.
"Do not speak to me like that," he growls.
"You know what I mean," I snap back.
He grabs my arm and pulls me closer to him. "I am going to teach you some respect," he snarls. "I am your mate and you will obey my orders."
I pull away from him. "Obey! As if I could obey you!" I yell at him.
Dhakar gives me a disgusted look and walks away from me.
I watch him until he is out of sight. And yet why do I feel so attracted to him? I know he’s the most obnoxious man I’ve ever seen but all I can think about is running my hands all over him.
I'm confused and scared. I don't want to be here. But deep inside me, there is this burning desire to be near him.
I sit down and rest against a tree.
Kallena comes over to me. "Are you okay?" she asks.
"Yes, I'm fine," I tell her.
She sits next to me and puts her arm around my shoulder. "Here is something I have been meaning to show you," she says and reaches for the pouch around her waist. She takes out a small necklace made out of pearls and gold.
"What is that?" I ask.
"This is the symbol of power," she tells me.
"How do I wear it?" I ask.
She looks at me strangely. "Just put it around your neck," she answers.
I lift the pendant and look at it. I see the symbols etched on the side. I take it and put it around my neck. I feel warmth spread through me.
"Oh, thank you," I say.
Kallena smiles and kisses my cheek. "I am glad you like it."
I smile at her. “I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be his mate. I don’t think he even likes me. He just wants me to bear his offspring.”
"Well, you do get to choose," she says.
"No, I don't!" I snap at her. "He already told me I would be his mate. He already chose me. I am not allowed to refuse him."
Kallena sighs. "Emma, you should know that the warriors always claim their mates. There is nothing you can do to stop him."
