Page 9 of Aine

That man hardly looked happy to see me, his clear indifference toward me making me wonder why he’s claimed me as his mate in the first place. His house is constructed the same as the others I’ve spotted between the trees, but it appears a bit larger. The only difference is the small white porch wrapping around the front.

My nerves grow the closer we grow.

“Don’t worry,” Jenna says. “He’ll be home soon.”

I nod, too tired to argue with her. I’ve known her since I was a child, and I trust that she wouldn’t leave me somewhere dangerous. Besides, it’s not like I have any other options.

My knuckles turn white as she spins my chair so she can drag me up the front steps of his house, and I scan the forest for any sign of the beasts in the meantime.

“I’m not allowed to go inside, so I’ll just leave you here.” Spinning, she pushes me over the threshold of the front door.

I turn to her in a panic, not wanting to be left alone. My mouth opens, preparing to beg, but she shoots me a devilish smirk and shuts the door before any sound emerges.

“Jenna!” I shout, hoping she can hear me through the thick wood.

My hands grow clammy as I wait, my pulse racing when she doesn’t come back. Sucking in an uneven breath, I reach down and wipe my palms on my shorts. I’m surprised they held up through the attack.

When my hands are dry enough to have some grip, I grab the wheels of my chair and try to roll out of Damien’s house.

Jenna’s refusal to enter, coupled with her sinister smile as she left, made it more than clear that I’m not welcome in this home. I don’t know why she did this, but I don’t have time to stew in my anger as I grip the wheels and try to push forward.

I’m able to stretch and pull open the door, but my wheel gets caught on the metal base of the doorframe when I try to leave. I hiss through my teeth as I try to force the chair over it, but my arms grow weak after only a few attempts, the muscles burning.

I release the wheel with a huff and let myself roll back a few inches into the large room. A stitch has popped in my bicep, and I turn to watch the blood drip down my skin before falling to the floor, forming a small splatter as it hits the ground. I tuck my arm into my body to stop the bleeding.

My chest heaves as I roll over the splatter, spreading it into the ground so it’s harder to spot.

Drawing my attention back outside, I freeze as I catch sight of Damien in the woods, his pace quick as he moves between the trees. He’s already spotted me, his eyes locked on mine as he approaches.

To say he looks pissed would be an understatement, and my panic only grows as I wait.

He enters his home quietly despite his large frame, his eyes hard as he glares at me.

“I’m so sorry!” I don’t hesitate to launch into an apology. “Jenna left me here and I can’t get over the door frame by myself.”

He doesn’t respond, his body stiff as his eyes travel the length of my body. I watch as his attention settles on my bloody arm, lingering there before moving to the wound on my thigh. His close proximity has my heart racing, the size of him terrifying. He’s much larger than Henry, and he seems even angrier.

If I’m to be with this beast as Jenna says, I don’t have much hope for a happy future.

“You heal slow.”

His words make me pause, as I hadn’t been expecting them. Frowning, I tentatively poke at my leg.

“Sorry? I—” I start, unsure how to respond to that.

“Sorry, Damien!” a feminine voice rings out, interrupting me. My jaw shuts with a click, and I watch as a small woman comes barreling in behind him. “I got distracted talking to—”

She pauses as she catches sight of me inside the foyer, her body freezing mid-step. Squinting, I tilt my head to the side as I look at her, trying to figure out if she’s a human. She’s got light blonde hair and bright blue eyes, so I’m assuming she’s is. The beasts all seem to share the same dark hair and brown eye characteristics.

Does Damien have more than one mate? That would make things easier for me.

“Take her to the cabin. Then meet me in my office,” Damien commands her, leaving no room for argument as he steps around me and heads up the stairs near the door.

The woman nods vigorously. I look between her and Damien’s retreating figure, feeling both uncomfortable and embarrassed. She offers me a small smile, flinching slightly as the sound of a door slamming echoes throughout the house.

“Sorry about that,” she says, walking around me. “I’m Olivia, Damien’s assistant.”

So not another mate? I try to keep my disappointment hidden as she grabs the handles on the back of my chair and pushes me forward. It would be nice to have somebody else to keep him occupied.

---