“We’re back,” she says, digging into her bag and pulling out the list of demands. “But my client has some requests of her own.”
Kole walks over and takes the paper from her, looking it over with a grin that has one of his dimples showing. He passes it to Thane and tosses me a wink, making my heart skip a beat.
After a long moment of silence, Thane looks up. “You can have the penthouse to yourself one weekend a month, but Kole or I have to be in Seattle with you. Sienna can stay with you if you’d like, and you’ll be free to go where you want, but I can’t have you there without one of us close by.”
“Fine,” I agree. “Anything else?”
“You have to spend the night in my room once a week.” I immediately open my mouth to argue, but he holds up a hand to stop me. “I’ll sleep on the chair or in my wolf form on the floor, but I need to be around you.”
I may not like it, but I nod. The need for close proximity is a consequence of the bond, and if we want to keep him from losing his shit, then we have to find a balance.
“You’ll also need to attend celebrations, meetings, and other events that might take place,” Kole interjects.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve publicly claimed you as mine,” Thane answers. “Everyone will expect you to be by my side, and I’ll look weak if you’re not. It’s bad enough you won’t be in chains or sitting on my lap.”
A smile forms on my lips, hearing him say that last part. “Alright, but Sienna gets to attend too, and neither of you get to comment on my drinking.”
Kole quietly chuckles, throwing an arm around Thane and patting him on the chest. “Looks like the two of you have got yourselves a deal.”
“I’ll have the contract drawn up and ready to sign by morning,” Thane says with a bit of a grunt.
I turn to Sienna, who is practically beaming.
“Is this really happening?”
She giggles and loops her arm through mine. “Let’s have a sleepover to celebrate!”
I’ve never been one for sleepovers, but right now, the idea doesn’t sound half bad. If anything, I could use the company to distract myself from thinking about what I’ve just agreed to. In my heart, I know it’s the right choice, but shit.
What has mylife come to?
Thane
Sienna is a goddamn miracle worker. I’m not sure what would’ve come if she hadn’t convinced Grey to agree to the contract. It’s been nearly impossible to control the urges of the mark since she’s been gone, and if Grey had chosen to run, I’m almost certain it would’ve been only a matter of time before I snapped.
I just pray that the things in this contract are enough to keep the monster in me at bay. There’s no telling what will happen if I lose control, and no part of me wants to find out. After what happened on Halloween, just the thought that I might hurt her makes me want to rip my own heart out. That night nearly broke me, and if Kole hadn’t been around, I’m not sure what I would’ve done. It’s like I need her underneath my skin. I need her soul woven into mine until we are one entity.
Marking her was the worst mistake of my life, and now I have to spend the rest of it paying the price. Because despite her feeling the pull of the bond too, she’s made it clear she wants nothing to do with me, and I can’t blame her. After everything I’ve done to her, I’m just lucky she’s agreed to these requests.
Every waking moment away from her is torture, and I only have myself to blame for it. That day in the forest, I should have just walked away. I knew then that there was something different about her, but my ego wouldn’t let her go.
At the very least, I should’ve locked her up in the pen or dungeon and been done with it. But no. I had to own her so wholly that the only way to satisfy my greed wasto mark her.
Little did I know back then, there was no owning someone like her. Sure I could take her blood and even her freedom. But the one thing I want now can’t be taken.
It has to be given.
Chapter 27
“Wakey, wakey!”
My eyelids are heavy as I pry them open to find a face full of silky brunette hair dangling over me. Of course Sienna would be a morning person. Why on earth would I expect anything less from the little Italian ball of perkiness I now call my friend?
I turn to the clock with a yawn.
“How can you be so energetic after only getting three hours of sleep?” I ask, slowly propping myself up. The rays of sunlight are extra violent this morning, and I make a mental note to request some blackout curtains.
