Glancing back, I’m stunned to find Harvey glaring at Rick with a murderous glint in his eyes. Noticing Rick’s anger, Harvey stands to cover me but stops when I subtly shake my head. He evades my eyes, and I can sense his disappointment pouring into the air.
I have known my mate for barely an hour, and I’ve already managed to hurt him more times than I can apologize for. As much as I would love some support, I think it’s time I finally stand up for myself.
Even when I know Rick doesn’t deserve it, I want to part on civil terms. I’ve wanted to end things for months but never had the courage to, but tonight, the arrival of my mate has changed everything. I can’t witness Harvey hurt because of my mistakes.
The front doors of the clubs open to an eerily quiet and empty parking lot. The second the door bangs shut behind us, Rick marches up to me, seething in anger and snarls in my face.
“I don’t know where to start with you tonight! What do I even say to my girlfriend for throwing herself at strangers like somecheap slut!Wearing—wearing that tiny piece of cloth you call adress! And what did I tell you about letting your hair down like that, huh?”
Rick reserves this specific condescending tone and unfiltered fury for when we are alone. It’s degrading and explicitly meant to humiliate me. I hate to admit it, but I’ve gotten used to his tone. No matter what I do, I’m always wrong in his eyes.
“There’s nothing wrong with the dress Rick, I like it. And I feel more comfortable with my hair out of those tight braids.” I keep my voice steady, praying it won’t crack with fear.
I can’t look weak tonight.Rick feeds on my submission, and I hate that I give up so easily with him.
“How many times have I told you this? It makes you look dirty and unkept!” I knew he would hate my hair. He always does. “And what about that man, huh?”
“That manis our Prince of War and—”
“So now you’re defending him? Is it because he has a higher rank? Are you going to latch onto him now like the power-hungry whore you are?”
Is this what he really thinks of me? Rick wasn’t even an elite warrior when we started dating, so what power was I running after?
I can’t keep quiet anymore. He already assumes the worst of me, but maybe if he knew who Harvey was to me, he would understand it’s not me being a whore for simply talking to my mate.My mate.
Just the thought of Harvey gives me enough courage to blurt out that he’s my mate, even with Rick pacing before me with his hands pulling on his hair.
“Reject him.”
My world stops as soon as the words leave his mouth. I search his eyes, wishing he only said it out of anger and confusion. Yet, when I look at him, all I see is a clear warning. The idea ofrejection tips me too far from reason. My mind zones in on one thing, disregarding everything else. I have to protect my bond.
“I won’t reject my mate.”
This is not how I wanted to do this.
“You do what I say!” Rick growls and I will myself not to back down before I say my piece. I stay as calm as possible, wanting to communicate my feelings for the first and last time.
“No. You ask me politely, and I will only do itifI feel comfortable. I’m supposed to be your partner, Rick, not your slave. Nevaeh was right. I can’t keep making you happy by neglecting my comfort and happiness.”
“Of course, she’s the one pulling your strings.”
He blows up once again. Kicking over the trash can behind him. I hear him mumble something about ‘counting her days’, but when he stomps over to me, I have to walk backwards until Rick has trapped me between him and a wall.
Don’t panic Grace, he can’t know how scared you are, or he’ll use that against you. I encourage myself to talk it out calmly so I don’t aggravate him anymore.
I just want to leave. I’m so tired of him treating me like a possession, something he can boast about among his peers and not someone he should love and cherish.
“This isn’t about who said what, Rick, it’s about how I feel and… and that is uncomfortable, ridiculed, and stepped on every time you talk to me. I… I keep fixing what you break inside me, butyou just never stop breaking,and I’m so t-tired of piecing myself back together. I’m sorry, Rick, but it’s over.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when his hand comes down to my cheek with enough force that I have to use the wall behind me so I won’t fall. My vision goes dark briefly, and his arm presses under my chin to keep me in place.
Grabbing my cheeks, Rick harshly squeezes, forcing me to look up. Everything happens so fast that I can barely keep upwith his words. There’s no hiding my tears anymore, and I have to blink hard to make the stars in my vision disappear. I need to get out of here—or scream. I need to do something before Rick completely loses it.
I’m having a hard time coming out of my shock to focus on what Rick is screaming in my face, looking unhinged. His eyes flash red, and I’m afraid he is losing control of his demon. “—I’ll make sure you pay for running your mouth. Once I’m done with you tonight, you won’teverdisrespect me again.” His grip on my cheeks is so painful that I can’t hold back from whimpering.
“Please st-stop.”
“Not so brave now, huh,darling? I would shut up before you force me to punish you for disobedience too, you—” his words cut off when a fist lands on his cheek from the side. Rick’s grip on me falters as he stumbles back and lands on his behind.
