Page 92 of A True Mate Bond

He held her hair back and handed her a towel that seemed to be the cleanest thing in this whole damn space. She took it from him and patted her mouth dry. He let go of her hair and rushed out of the bathroom, returning with the dress in hand.

“Master has chosen this dress for you today. He’ll be waiting for you in the great hall to have breakfast together. I’ll wait outside for you to change.”

He handed her the dress before leaving and closing the bathroom door behind him. She couldn’t move, standing frozen with the dress in her hand as bile slowly crept up her esophagus again. She couldn’t fathom that she was supposed to wear a dress anyone but Blake had chosen for her and share a meal with a creature that was more beast than man. Yet again, she felt sick to her stomach and spit out the acid that had made its way into her mouth.

She didn’t know for how long she stood there but it seemed too long for the man outside as he knocked on the door.

“Master doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

His words snapped her from her trance. The last thing she wanted to do was anger the man that could hurt her babies. She quickly slipped out of herclothes and into the dress she’d been given. It was an older dress, the colors washed out and worn.She opened the door where the young man waited for her.

“Master will be very pleased.”

He led her out of the room, into the entry hall, and to a door across from her room. He opened it and stepped in holding the door open for her.

“Master, I’ve brought you your mate.”

“What took you so long?” The beastman’s voice came through the door, deep and angry.

The young man flinched and explained with a shaky voice, “She wasn’t feeling well. I believe she’s experiencing morning sickness from her pregnancy.”

She heard heavy footsteps approach before the man she feared the most appeared in the door frame. Not wanting to anger him, she hesitantly stepped closer and passed through the door. She entered a large dining room with a long wooden table and medieval chairs.

“Leave,” he barked at the young man who fearfully rushed out of the room, closing the door behind him. Towering over her, the beastman looked down on her with black eyes, though he seemed pleased with the dress. “Beautiful.”

He took her hand in his, pain instantly radiating up her arm and to her shoulder.It took everything in her not to pull away or squirm in pain. He led her to the large table, moving until he reached the end furthest away from the door. It was set for two with aged golden plates, cups, and cutlery. He pulled out a chair for her and motioned her to sit. She did as he asked of her, internally sighing with relief as he let go of her hand.

He took a seat opposite her, his eyes resting on her bump. “When Julius told me you were with child, I was excited. Now that I know you are with two, I’ll be even more protective of you. My wolves will not leave your side. They’ll do everything for you. Keeping you and these precious gifts from Selene alive is our main priority.”

“I don’t want those wolves anywhere near me,” she spat out, instantly regretting it.

He crooked his eyebrow. “Deluca told me that he upset you with his actions, but I assure you they were necessary to keep you safe. Those wolves will never be able to protect you. It’s even a shame they call themselves wolves.”

She bit her lip and swallowed her reply, not wanting to enrage him even more. A small door to her right opened and the young man with the metal collar appeared again. He carried gold trays filled with food and set them on the table between her and the beastman. He rushed out the door again and returned with two pitchers, one filled with water and the other with orange juice. Standing in front of her, he smiled down at her and it took her a moment to understand what he wanted.

“Water,” she said with a weak and scratchy voice.

He nodded and poured the water into her cup. Before he left, he poured the beastman some orange juice, then they were all alone again.

“You need to eat.” He took her plate and piled it with food before handing it back to her. “You’ll need all your strength to grow those two girls for me.”

His words were disgusting. Those babies were hers and Blake’s. Bile crept up her throat again as she tried to suppress a gag.

Her hesitation seemed to irritate him, his muscles tensing and his tone sharpening. “Eat.”

With a shaky hand she reached for the fork and began to cut up a pancake. Suppressing another gag, she lifted the fork and forced the pancake into her mouth, chewing it little by little.

“Very good.” He started to eat too, stuffing his mouth while she was still chewing on her first piece.

Trying to distract him from the fact that she was barely eating, she asked, “Who are you?”

Initially, she’d wanted to ask himwhathe was, but she deemed that question as rude. He was definitely not human, but he was also no werewolf.

“I’m Solomon–one of the only true children of Selene left here on earth.”

Chewing on her second bite she thought about his words but couldn’t put a meaning to them. “What does that mean?”

“I would’ve thought your pack would’ve told you the story of their creation,” he said, clearly disappointed.

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