Page 12 of Forced Wolf Bride

Finally, he clears his throat and looks away. "You should probably get ready," he says gruffly. "We're going out."

I'm taken aback by his sudden suggestion, unsure if this is some kind of test or a genuine invitation. But before I can find the courage to ask him what he means, he turns away and leaves the room.

I stay in my corner for a few moments more, still trying to process what just happened before finally heading upstairs to get ready. For what, I'm not sure. A date? Dinner? Or simply a walk?

Looking inside the bag the woman gave me, I find some makeup. Not all of it is in my chosen shades, but I make some of it work and feel vaguely satisfied when I'm done. The woman looking back at me in the mirror looks strange, and I almost don't recognize her. And it's not the makeup or the slightly too-tight tank that's revealing way more than I usually like to show.

It's the glow to my cheeks and the sparkle in my eyes. I should look scared, and I am scared. I should look like a stereotypical kidnap victim. And yet, my wolf is calm. She's not afraid of Diego. Which is insanity, considering everything he's done to Gina's pack. To Gina.

I throw the makeup brush down in frustration and groan.I'm a traitor. For looking nice for Diego, for sleeping with him, for not doing more to escape, even though I know it's pointless because Ihavetried. Haven't I?

"I'm going to make something happen tonight. Escape. Get a message to Gina. Something," I tell the woman in the mirror.

My wolf doesn't echo my sentiment, but my eyes are steely. I square my shoulders, grab a shirt to cover myself, and head down to meet Diego before he comes to find me.

I find him in the hall, standing by some kind of open safe. His broad body is partially obscuring the view, but I see a flash of metal before realizing he's putting guns away.

I speak before I can stop myself, incredulity lacing my words. "What does an alpha need a gun for?"

He spins, and before I know what's happening, my body is pinned against the wall at the bottom of the oak staircase, my feet slightly lifted. I may not have grown up in a pack, but I'm not stupid. You don't sneak up on a male wolf, and you definitely don't question the alpha.

"What did you just say?" he snarls, his handsome face contorted with a rage I last saw that night with the wolf called Marcus. "I don'tneeda gun, but silver bullets would see off most intruders or escapees around here. Don't you think?"

I shudder in his grasp, the implication clear. "I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean anything. I was just surprised." Tears brim in my eyes. I want to wipe them away, but I'm gripping Diego's strong arms to stop myself from falling.

We remain like that for a moment, our faces a mere breath apart. Despite my fear, I raise my gaze to look into his eyes, and I'm surprised at what I see there now. The rage has lessened, and all I see is an inner conflict. He lowers me slowly, and I flinch as his hand comes toward my face. He pauses before wiping one of my tears away.

"Don't spoil that pretty makeup," he says, his voice softer than before. "You took me by surprise. I'm not used to having someone in the house anymore."

I want to say that he didn't need to threaten to shoot me, but I just nod, deciding now isn't the time for sass.

"I think we could both do with a drink." His eyes flicker to my lips and then cast downward to my chest. I'm not a super skinny girl, and I've certainly got the type of curves that most men seem to like. It used to make me self-conscious, but recently, I've been trying to take a leaf out of Gina's book and dress a little more to show off my frame rather than hide it.

However, this tight tank is way more revealing than anything I've worn. Under Diego's scrutiny, I almost feel naked.

He looks back up, and his eyes are almost black with desire. But instead of repulsing me like I know it should, it only turns me on. We stay like that for a minute, and I think he's about to kiss me when suddenly he pushes off the wall and away from me.

"Don't run, Quinn. I ain't letting you go."

His words send a shiver through my body, and all I can do is nod and follow him out to his truck.

"So, um, where are we going?" I ask when we've been driving in silence for a few minutes. I'm still hot and bothered by our interaction at the house.

Diego sighs, still looking at the road. "Well, I figured, seeing as how you're staying, I'd better show you around a bit. We'll go get some food. Don't think I'm going soft, though—you run, and I'll stop you. You won't taste fresh air again."

I believe him. "I won't run. Will those other men be there? From that night?" I hate how my voice trembles slightly, but that wolf Marcus is bad to the bone. I can sense it.

Diego seems to catch my drift straight away, "No. Those idiots never come into town."

"If they're idiots, why do you let them stay?" I can't help but ask, though I cringe as soon as the words are out of my mouth.

I think Diego’s going to go off at me again, but instead, he chuckles as we turn into a nice-looking bar. "Marcus is something I'll deal with later. After..."

"After Mason?" I finish for him.

In the semi-dark, I feel his eyes on me. "Yes, after Mason. I know you're not a part of his pack, Quinn. I've done my research, and you have no alliance. So stay out of it."

"B-but my friend Gina is in that pack and—"

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