Page 72 of Claimed By the King's Gamma

“I dropped my command.I’m sorry, love.I shouldn’t have commanded you,” he tells me, and I peer out the window, feeling sick.If only he knew how tortured my mind already was and then he does that.Forces me to envision his death while my bond tugs painfully in my chest.The guilt forms an endless pit in my stomach.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“That’s okay.You are forgiven.I bet you’re hungry.There is a truck stop ahead.”At the mention of food, my belly rumbles.He pulls in and there is a small diner.Stepping inside, we take our seats and Kade orders for us.But when the food comes out, I stare at the measly plate.

“You need to watch your figure.Can’t have a fat Luna,” he says as I stare down at the bowl of lettuce.“Lucky, I am here to look out for you.I’ll make a Luna of you,” he says.I look at his eggs and bacon, but not wanting to sound ungrateful, I tuck in.My belly rumbles after we finish eating and climb in the car.I am still very hungry, and I pinch my shirt that is far too loose, wondering if I am overweight.Surely, someone would have told me?Maybe not, but I don’t think I am.I’ve never had enough to eat, and I’ve always thought I looked sickeningly skinny, with the way my hip bones jut out and my ribs show.

The drive takes hours, and I reach into the backseat to retrieve my bag, pulling my phone out.I have multiple text messages from Gannon.Yet something tells me not to listen to them in the car.Kade makes it very clear about his dislike for Gannon and Liam, and I don’t feel like arguing with him over any message he sent.

So I tuck the phone back in the bag when my fingers touch a wrapper.Excitement bubbles in me and I pull the bag of candy clouds out.I open it and pop three in my mouth while reaching for the dial on the radio.Only Kade slaps my hand.

He had never done that before.He always let me choose the station when in his car.“I’m listening to that!What has gotten into you?You’re acting out of sorts!”he snaps, glancing at me.

Am I acting out of sorts?Is it me?Why do I suddenly feel so uncomfortable in his presence?It’s like all the warmth and safety have melted away.Guilt smashes me for even thinking I was uncomfortable.The Moon Goddess would strike me down for my terrible thoughts about my mate.A gift she bestowed me.

“What have you got?”Kade asks when I pop another candy in my mouth.I show him the bag, offering him some.

“Strawberry clouds, do you want one?They are…”

He rips the bag out of my hand.

“I knew you were acting up!For fuck’s sake, you shouldn’t eat candy.The sugar goes to your head.”He winds the window down, tossing the bag before I can try to grab it.“You’re so talkative and loud whenever you eat that shit he gives you!”he snaps and I shrink in my chair.

“Seriously, Abbie, think of your health.And my sanity.It drives me up the wall when you’re blubbering and bouncing on your feet!”he scolds.

He never complained before, and Gannon never said I talk too much.That sinking feeling returns, and I turn my gaze out the window.

Wiping a stray tear with my fingers.“You’re not seriously crying over candy?”he huffs, and I feel myself slip into a mask I had learned at a young age.A mask Mrs.Daley earned from us.One of emptiness.Tears won’t help you, no, they would get us beat back at the orphanage.Kade mutters something under his breath.

I turn my thoughts inward, blocking out the world and everyone in it.Going to a place no one can touch me.Going to a place I only visit in my dreams.Grandma’s house.Where my childhood was good before it all got taken away from me when we had to go on the run.

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