GRACE

Hatred bounced off of my glare and bounced right back to me. A mirror of how much I felt was looking right at me as Damon withdrew his gaze and turned around signaling everyone to leave.

Just before he stepped out of the room, he turned, his eyes dead.

“I hope you’ll do what’s right for your family. We may be bonded but don’t mistake my saving you for chivalry. You must pay for what your father has done. One way or another,” he hissed and without waiting for me to say a word, left. The door’s lock echoed and I plopped on the bed.

A scream bubbled to my throat in retaliation but it never surfaced. Just an empty gaping hole with no sounds.

Soon after, the maid from before entered my room with a dress in hand and fear in her eyes. A part of me felt bad for the way I had treated her and she hurriedly stepped out of the room.

My hands caressed the dress and found a note that read “be ready by 8”

I threw the card to the wall and watched it float helplessly to the ground. Who did he think he was!?

I already said I would rather die than to help him. If he didn’t hear me the first time then I was going to show him.

I let out my claws and started to rip the dress to shreds. No dress. No occasion. He could burn for all I care.

I was still in my room, still dirty from the previous tumble when I smelled Damon at my door. I ignored him and slipped under the covers pretending to be asleep.

He knocked once and entered the room. I heard him snarl dangerously before moving quickly towards the covers and flinging them over my body.

I couldn’t hide my distaste as I snarled at him but it was barely audible.

His eyes were piercing with rage.

“Get dressed. Now!” He commanded but I folded my hands like a child. He scoffed.

“You don’t want me to take you over my knee, minx,” he said slowly but I still ignored him. Just when I thought he was going to let me go from frustration, he suddenly grabbed me by the wrists and forced me to the wall.

His hands held mine above my head and my body went stiff with anticipation.

His body merged with mine and my throat went dry. My breasts rubbed at his chest and I swallowed but rage still cascaded over me.

He gave a low growl as he sniffed me then did something I wasn’t expecting.

His tongue came out to lick the sides of my ears and a viscous heat pooled at my center.

What the hell was he doing!?

I couldn’t moan but my body had turned to jelly.

Then before I could stop him, his nose rested in the crevice of my neck and his hands trailed little circles of lust on my stomach.

Was it the mate bond that caused this reaction or was it something else?

I was shamelessly, arching into his hands when he stopped all of a sudden and pushed himself away from me.

His face was scrunched up in disgust as his eyes held beads of suspicion.

“Why do you smell like that?” He asked but I was confused. It took me a second to realize what he was talking about and I couldn’t hide my embarrassment.

“Speak!” He ordered but I averted my eyes. My wolf had a scent different from others because of her stunted growth. It wasn’t noticeable but it was there and he had smelled it.

I tried to walk past him but he grabbed my hands with force and dragged me back. The force caused pain to explode from my wrists and I opened my mouth to scream but no sound came out. Only a strangled whisper.

Damon let me go instantly and staggered back.

“You’re not my wife…” he suddenly whispered and the air turned thick with tension. I opened my mouth but clamped it shut. His eyes dawned with realization.

“Your tongue” he gasped then before I could recover, he roared. “You can’t even speak!” He roared in anger.

“I’ve been conned!?” he growled so deep, goosebumps cascaded over my skin.

The next thing I knew, Damon had his hands around my throat, a bitter laugh leaving his lips.

“Your father has barely paid for one crime and he does another!? Swapping my bride for his secret child!?” He spat and even though he raised me from the ground with force, he wasn’t choking me.

Hate filed his eyes, a mirror of mine. Just as things got more serious, he released me and I fell to the floor. Coughing.

Damon turned. His aura dangerous and murderous.

“You better be dressed the next time I come back here or else…” he trailed and with my knees to the floor I looked up at him.

Or else what!? I asked silently and he turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp. Furious and murderous.

I gasped for the first time. Fear crawling in my skin as he walked away from me, only to stop at the door.

“And for your sake, you better keep this secret to yourself. This isn’t the kingdom you know. I won’t protect you,mate bond or not” he hissed

“Whether you like it or not. You will give me the heir of my salvation” he threatened.

Then without waiting for a response, he walked out through the door slamming it so hard, it shook the room.

Anger and regret coursed through me. I should have just let my step mother kill me, at least I wouldn’t be here.

I stood up on my feet, going over to the cloth I had already ruined. I had barely picked up the dress when a crow echoed behind me.

I turned around to find a crow I’d know anywhere bearing the blood claw’s seal.

I rushed towards the bird removing the note clasped to its legs. The moment i opened the scroll, a gasp left me.

I would recognize that writing anywhere. My father was coming to rescue me.