Page 117 of Unravelling The Beast

I pull back and gaze down at him, my heart melting in my chest and tears threatening to come because it's the first time he's ever said that, and I sniffle before speaking with a wobble in my throat.

"I love you, Cree, with all my heart."

He looks up at me before turning to his side and closing his heavy eyes. I look at him for a moment while lost in thought before leaving his room and heading downstairs.

I go straight to the kitchen, where I clean up a little and look down at my bandaged hand. I unravel it and stare down at the partly healed, deep red A in my hand from a few nights ago.

I smile to myself, remembering that night and how he bonded our blood before making love to me.

Suddenly, there's a knock on the front door, and my brows rise in surprise because I hadn't anticipated Arlo or anyone else. Before heading to the front door, I set the bloody bandage on the kitchen island.

When I open the door and see that it's Arlo's father, my entire body freezes.

"Hello, Wren."

He takes a step forward, practically forcing and welcoming himself in, and I want to slam the door in his face out of fear, but I find myself slowly backing up, keeping my wide eyes on him.

Once he has fully entered, he carefully closes the door behind him and glances around.

"Is my son home?"

When his eyes return to mine, I shake my head slowly.

"Cree?"

I straighten up, folding my arms across my chest before speaking, trying to project confidence in the face of his frightening demeanor.

"He's upstairs asleep."

He looks all around my face before he now speaks in a calm tone.

"I'm here to see you, Wren."

As I answer, my brows rise before forming a crease.

"Me?"

My body tenses as he takes a slow step forward and stops just in front of me, his spicy aftershave burning my nostrils.

He towers over me and raises his powerful voice when he is in my space.

"You!"

Before I respond, I swallow hard and keep my eyes fixed on him.

"What exactly do you want?"

"I want you to leave. I want you to leave this family and never look back."

I confidently broaden my shoulders and give him a hard look.

"I'm not leaving.”

Anger surges across his eyes, and he lowers his face to mine, flashing his teeth frighteningly.

"It wasn't a question, you dumb bitch; it was a fucking order!"

I raise an eyebrow as I begin to feel defensive, and I do my best to hold my ground.

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