Claimed By The Lycan Lord

Apology Is Not Enough

MARCELLA

I opened my eyes to find myself constrained to a bed. For a moment, I had believed it was just a nightmare but the throbbing pain that shot through my body spoke otherwise. The last thing I remembered was slamming my face to the floor and Lord Talon taking a step backward.

I drifted off to unconsciousness the minute that animal tried to place his filthy hands on me again. A sigh escaped my lips as I tried to turn to the other side of the bed. Had I been unconscious all night?

Master Talon walked right in, his hands crossed behind him as he stared at me with... pity?

“Why? Why did you do this? I warned you about it, didn’t I? Look what you have done to yourself. I warned you about our guest. I told you he was dangerous.” He started calmly.

I let out a heavy sigh, disbelief washing over me. Was this really what he could say after what I went through for our pack’s safety. He shook his head and turned to leave.

“When?” I started and he halted. “When did you begin to hate me?” He arched his brows in confusion. “When? Since the moment you found out we were mates?” I continued.

The words he spoke resounded in my head and it twisted my gut. I felt so vulnerable, laying there on the bed, covered in bruises and wounds.

“Why would you think about such a thing? Why would I hate....”

“You do not have to deny it. I risked my life, trying to protect our pack from a stranger and this is all you could say to me?” My heart shattered and I could literally feel the pain in my heart.

“I do not hate you. Stop saying that. This is what happens when you choose to be disobedient and do what you want instead of doing the right thing. I warned you about it.” He insisted.

“Perhaps, if your guest had come in like a normal person and not trying to sneak in like a criminal, I would not have mistaken him for a thief. All I wanted to do was safe us from....”

“It still boils down to your disobedience. If you had listened to me and stay in there, we would not even be in this mess. Now, he believes I sent you to stop him from coming to our pack. Our pack is in danger because of you. You have to let him know this was your own mistake and not the whole pack.

You have to tender an apology to him and do everything within your power to make sure nothing goes wrong else.....” He threatened and walked out of the room.

A tear trickled down my eyes. How could he be selfish? How could the moon goddess even be cruel to give me such a man as my mate? I wished all I felt for him could wash down the drain that very minute but.... I still cared about him.

“Thank goodness you are awake! You got us all worried.” Romani and Alex rushed towards me with smiles etched to their face. A small smile tugged at my lips despite the ache that burned through my bones.

Hours passed by really quickly and not even for a second did Master Talon return to check on me. Apparently, he had been doing all in his power to make his ‘guest’ feel welcomed and received.

“Havoc might be brewing in the pack. I think.... I think you need to apologize to Lord Thane... for the sake of this pack.” Romani advised.

The thought of apologizing to that animal felt like a bitter pill lodged in my throat, one I didn’t want to swallow. He had hurt me physically and emotionally. I wished to stand my ground, to not give him the satisfaction of seeing me grovel but as much as I wanted to cling to my pride, I knew I had to do it. For the pack. For my people.

I took a sigh and walked to the room where the supposed guest was. The internal battle raged on. Part of me wanted to scream at him and remind him that it was not over and he was going to pay for what he had done to me but again, it wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about the pack. I let out a sigh and placed a knock on the door.

“Come in.” He spoke as though he already knew it was me. I took in a deep breath before opening the door. Lord Talon was with him too. They both diverted their gazes to me before the guest looked away from me.

I closed my eyes tightly, trying to block out the conflicting thoughts swirling in my head.

“What are you doing here? Have you come to display your foolishness once again?” Thane started calmly.

When he looked at me with that infuriating stare of disdain and his tone dripping with condescension, I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks. I wanted to retort, to unleash the anger I had against him but I decided to be mute.

Finally, I forced out the words that felt like jagged glass in my throat.

“i..... I came here to apologize. I am sorry for what.....”

“Apology?” He arched his brows and suddenly chuckled. “No, darling. You do not apologize standing in my face.”

I diverted my gaze to Master Talon who urged me to go on my knees. My blood ran hot. If it had not been for the safety of the pack, I would have spat in his face and called him names but... I had to do what I had to do.

Taking a deep breath, I went down on my knees, clenching my fist. Of course, this was far from over. He had to pay for this.

“I am sorry. Please, forgive me for what I have done. I did not mean to. It was a silly mistake on my part. I acted on my own and not in command to the pack or Master Talon. Please, forgive me.”

Thane stared at me for a long moment, his gaze quite unreadable. I felt so lame kneeling in front of this soulless man. Without warning, a smirk crept across his lips but disappeared just as soon as it came.

“You know....” He began, his tone filled with sarcasm. “It is almost impressive how quickly she’s learned to play the role of the obedient little pawn. Is this what you have been teaching her? Quite the lesson in humility.” He turned his back to us.

How dare he twist the moment into something so belittling?

“I shall leave tomorrow and I will fulfill my end of the bargain. You know me so well and you are aware apologies are never enough. You know what I want.” He spoke before reaching for the door.

“Lord Thane, you.....” Master Talon started but halted as soon as Thane halted in his steps. “Yes, my Lord.”

The stare from Master Talon got me quite worried as he stared at me with pity and concern.

“I am sorry.” He muttered.

For what?