Page 66 of Forced Alpha Bride
“Okay,” he says. “I understand.”
He appears disappointed, maybe even wounded, but I just pull my hands from his grip and sit back, crossing my arms.
You took everything I had under false pretenses. I owe you nothing!
“I’ll make something to eat,” he says casually. “Then we can go to bed. You’re right, we should be well-rested.”
Despite his light tone, I feel a sense of threat in his tone, and I wonder what he’ll do to me when he finally gets me in his bed. A rush of desire runs through me again, so powerful that it almost makes me cry.
Stop it… just stop it!
I put my hands on my lap and jam my teeth together, concentrating on controlling my body. It isn’t easy, but I manage to take the edge off my lust until it’s just a low, distant throb.
Damon makes dinner, though I don’t even really notice what it is. He tries to make conversation, and I give minimal responses, just enough to placate him. As we finish the meal, I notice him watching me suspiciously, and I realize I’ve fucked up.
He knows…
“Ready to go to bed?” he asks.
“I was wondering if I should sleep on the couch,” I say, trying to sound casual.
Immediately, his face changes. Fire burns behind his eyes, and his cute red lips turn down into a scowl.
“Absolutely not,” he snaps. “I don’t know what’s going on with you right now. Is this some kind of game?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I just really want to get some rest, and I’d prefer to sleep alone—”
“Nope,” he says firmly. “No fucking way.”
He grabs my hand and drags me into the living room. When he grabs the chains off the floor, I start shivering violently, wondering what he’s going to do to me. My arousal returns in full force, coloring me with shame.
“Don’t worry,” he says, making sure the chain is short so I don’t have much movement. “I won’t take you—not unless you beg me—but you’re just acting too weird for me to leave you loose.”
“Damon, I—”
“Look, I really don’t want to hear it. I’ve got enough on my mind right now. I’d rather just keep you chained for my own peace of mind. If you’re still into it, then I’ve just given you what you want. If I’m right, and you’re feeling like you want to run, then let this be a lesson to you that you can’t fool me. Understood?”
“Yes,” I mumble, trying not to cry. “I understand.”
He leads me upstairs, keeping the chains tight. To my surprise, he makes sure I’m comfortable for bed, letting me put on pajamas and helping me settle under the blanket, but he does make sure the chains are fixed tightly to the bed frame. I don’t have much slack between my wrists.
I lie beside him, struggling to relax enough to go to sleep. I wish that it were fear or conflict that kept me awake, but all I can do is imagine his hands on me, and all I can feel is the craving deep within that begs for the release only he can give me.
Chapter 20 - Damon
When I lay down beside Winnie, my body feels like it’s on fire. I have no desire to reach out to her, though. The harsh sting of rejection still rings through me, and I have no need to feel it again.
What happened? This morning, everything seemed great. Then after the meeting…
I really didn’t like chaining her up again, but I felt I had no choice. The idea of my consummated bride running away is ten times worse than losing her if the union wasn’t sealed.
Because a consecrated luna who abandons her role can be hunted and killed by the old laws. If she returned to Galen, Quartz Key could rightfully go to war against us. What a gigantic fucking mess this has become.
I manage to steady my breathing and relax my body so that I can rest a little, even if I’m too wired to sleep. I can feel how tense Winnie is, even from the other side of the bed, and I’m guessing she isn’t going to get much relief, either.
I can tell she’s aroused… but she also seems scared. Doesn’t she trust me?
The answer to that is a glaring, obvious no.
