“I’m sure you are, but you have a duty to the pack, and you can’t just desert us.”
“I didn’t desert you. I’m back now.”
I narrow my eyes, watching her closely. She’s still not reacting the way I expected her to, and the way her eyes slide away from mine suggests that she’s hiding something.
Was she out with another man?
I’m surprised by the rush of jealousy that fills me then. Suddenly, my mind is overrun by images, starkly detailed and almost sensory, of Grace in the arms of someone else, smiling as he kisses her, writhing in his arms as she moans with pleasure.
Fiery rage blossoms in my chest and ignites in my veins, hardening all my muscles. I clench my fists and blink hard, trying to clear my mind.
You’re being ridiculous! She isn’t with anyone else, and even if she were, would that really be so shocking?
She was dragged into this by the lottery system. It’s entirely possible that she had connections before this happened, and it would be stupid of me not account for that, but we are married now and appointed as pack leaders. She shouldn’t be sneaking off into the woods to have secret meetings.
I open my eyes to see that Grace has actually backed up a step.
“Dan, you’re being ridiculous. Let me in the house,” she says. Even though she tries to speak firmly, I see a flicker of fear on her face.
What the fuck is going on?
“Grace,” I say, very steadily. “What have you been doing out there for two hours? I know you’re hiding something.”
The way her eyes suddenly widen with shock, I know I’ve hit on the truth. I take a step towards her, and she doesn’t step back, but she does tilt her head and glare at me.
“I’m not hiding anything, you slow-witted oaf. I like long walks in nature; it calms me. I’m a witch, and you better get used to that if we’re going to be married.”
“Don’t insult me,” I mutter. “Or, I should say, if you’re going to insult me, be a bit more accurate. I thought you were smart.”
Her eyes gleam with white fire, and her mouth twists as she steps towards me, balling up her fists as she glares at me.
“Fine. You’re a clumsy, muscle-bound, idiotic freak with absolutely no manners or class. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t even spend one minute in your company, let alone a lifetime!”
“Well, you’re a stuck-up, elitist ice queen!” I roar, my mouth racing ahead of my mind. “Have you ever relaxed, ever once in your life? Or are you afraid to, because then the stick might fall out of your ass?”
“How dare you?” she hisses, her voice deep and rough. “Every time you open your mouth—or even breathe—you make my point for me, you—”
“No, shut up!” I yell, all my pent-up frustration screaming through me, exploding in an incandescent release. “I’ve tried as hard as I can to make this pleasant for us both, and you can’t even acknowledge my effort. Then you go sneaking off into the woods and disappear, come back acting all secretive—”
“Oh, get a grip,” she snaps, throwing her head back and rolling her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself! As if I’d bother trying to keep secrets from you. You’re so slow, I wouldn’t even have to.”
“Why do you think you’re so much better than me!” I yell, hearing my own voice spiraling out of control as my mind goes utterly blank.
That’s it, I’ve gone too far. I’m out of things to say, and now I’m running on fumes of rage. I’m about to make a fool of myself, and I can’t stop it.
Grace actually laughs, stepping back and shaking her head so her blond hair catches the light from the back window. She shimmers with gold fire as she focuses her gaze on me.
“I’ve never thought I was better than anyone,” she laughs. “You don’t know anything about me, and the way this is going, you never will.”
Without thinking, I reach out and grab her shoulders, pulling her close to me. I’m way beyond rational thought and completely out of my head. I see Grace’s eyes go wide as the color drains out of her face, and I tighten my grip on her shoulders when I feel her tense up in my hands.
Both of us are breathing hard, and heat rises between us. Her scent is something like lilies, or orchids—thick, sweet, intoxicating, but potentially poisonous, and my mind swims as I inhale it.
As the moment draws out, Grace relaxes in my hands. Our faces seem to get closer together, and her lush, red lips are only inches from mine. I can feel myself leaning towards her, and she’s yielding in my hands, her body bending towards mine.
Does she—does she want me?
Our faces come even closer together, and I feel her warm breath splash across my face. The heat between us intensifies, and her scent changes, the thick vanilla aroma hinting at something raw.
