Chapter 2
1134 Words
Odessa's POV
It's possible that today was that day.
The day I finally got away.
As I soaked in the warm bath, the knowledge sat heavy in my chest. The steam curled around me like the ghost of my past doubts. But there were no longer any questions. Dave and I would never get along, and I would lose everything about myself if I stayed.
The greatest warning of all was the fact that this truth didn't break me; the thought of leaving my so-called mate didn't break me. I should have been sad, but all I felt was tiredness, like I had been going around in circles because of constant fights and clipped wings.
Dave wanted power. He wanted people to give in. His mate would be his shadow, not an equal.
I wasn't that kind of wolf, either.
I didn't pay attention to the signs long enough. He was always putting me down and making me feel like I didn't deserve his name or the mate bond. Every time, I had to swallow my pride and tell myself that maybe I was the issue. Maybe I should have worked harder.
No, though.
I tried. Over and over.
I was done.
In the water, I ran my fingers along the surface and watched as the waves spread out and distorted the image of my face. What did I do when I was with him? Not me. Not the fierce and driven she-wolf my dad had raised.
I could never be truly happy with this person. Dave was already becoming more like his uncle. He had the same crazy ideas that mates should obey and that love was really control that looked like security. Things were going to get worse.
It was hard to breathe because the smell of his anger was coming through the door. He wasn't gone. He hadn't, of course. I hadn't heard the front door close, so he must still be outside waiting.
Myself.
I let out a slow breath. There was no way to get around this.
I pulled myself out of the water, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around my body tightly. Then I reached for my coat. Even though the bath was warm, it didn't help ease the tension in my shoulders.
I stood up straight and opened the door.
Dave was lying on the couch with his legs spread out and his arms thrown across his back. He looked like he owned both the couch and me. His dark eyes were narrowing, his jaw was clenched, and there was a twitch in the corner of his mouth.
"So," he said, but his voice didn't sound calm at all. "Want to tell me what the heck is going on?"
The weight of his eyes didn't make me shrink away.
"What's going on, Dave, is that I was given the chance to do some training outside of town for a few nights." It's not really that important.
Something scary flashed in his eyes.
"What makes you think you should do that?" He leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. His eyes were as sharp as a blade.
I put my arms together. "The same reason everyone else wants to get better." Dave, I know I'm just a waitress to you, but that doesn't mean I can't get better. John thinks I could do well.
"John believes—" I thought I had said something very silly, because he laughed out loud and shook his head. "Odessa, you don't have to do any of that nonsense." You're my mate. I bring in the cash. You don't need to go running around outside of town and getting into trouble.
"Everything?" I said it again, shocked. "Do not worry, it's not a Vegas strip show; it's a course in catering and hospitality!"
"Well, it's about the same." He sucked in his breath and leaned back against the couch as if the talk were over.
That was it. The last piece of the puzzle.
Any last bit of doubt I had went away, leaving me with only confidence. Dave would only let me be what he wanted me to be. He had to be in charge all the time.
They would never give me any freedom, so I would have to fight for it all my life if I stayed.
I took a deep breath and let the truth sink in.
I said with a calm voice, "Well, I've made up my mind." "You're not my guardian, Dave." Some of the women in your family might not mind being told what to do, but I'm not one of them.
Right away, his face turned darker, and there was a flash of something unstable behind his eyes. A wave of dread went through me for the first time, but I stood my ground.
After that, he turned his face upside down and laughed sharply.
He spat, "Then maybe you're not good enough for my family."
I didn't jump.
I gave a shrug and said, "Maybe." "That's why I believe this should end. It's not working, let's be honest.
They were thick and stifling sounds of silence between us. Dave then stood taller than me, and his broad shoulders blocked out the room's dim light.
He moved closer, and his presence was too much, like smothering. As he looked into my eyes, I held my breath and kept my face blank.
He spoke in a low, stern voice, "You do this, and that's the end of it." There was a growl in his throat that shook the air between us.
I put my chin up. "I understand."
And my god, those words made me feel so much better.
His jaw moved. His hands were clenched at his sides, showing that he was tense. It looked like a live wire was running through him.
I thought for a split second that he might fight it. It's possible that he would try to persuade me, trick me, or make me feel like I was wrong.
But then he just laughed.
He sneered, "Nobody will want you now." "You're by yourself." "You're not my mate."
It was hard for me to stay cool, but I did it.
Dave grabbed my chin with his hand as he reached for me. Not enough to hurt, but enough to make me think of what he could do.
He said in a low voice, "We're done."
Then he let go of me just as quickly as he had grabbed me.
He walked away, his steps heavy on the floor as he turned on his heel. I thought the door would slam and there would be one last angry outburst.
But there was only the quiet sound of the door closing behind him.
He was gone in an instant
- Writer
