What Lurks Beneath

Chapter 11

Kaida POV 

    The annoyance in his voice was hard to ignore, as if that should have been Brone’s first response upon finding out we were mates. I could feel my face heating with anger, but I'm not the only one angry. Beside me Brone is clenching and unclenching his fist. His temple twitching in a telltale sign I've come to learn after years of abuse. He was holding back an immense amount of anger that was going to need an outlet later. Before that outlet would have been me but now? Who knows... I pray it's not me still. Being his mate should shield me from that. I don’t want him taking it out on anyone else later either though. Hesitantly I squeeze his hand reminding him of my presence and start rubbing circles with my thumb on the back of his hand. He visibly relaxes and glances at me, gratitude in his eyes.  

    He closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath before readdressing his father 

    “Weren’t you the one insisting I find my mate and stop wasting my time on Claudia. So, which is it? Do you want my mate, or my chosen mate?” 

    His father places his paper work on the desk, and folds his hand on the desk in front of him. He stares Brone down before finally saying his peace. 

    “Had your mate been anyone, and I do mean anyone, but her I would want you to take your mate. But this” he gestures toward Brone and I with his pen, brows raised “This is simply unacceptable”  

    He then returns to his work, indicating the conversation was over. Brone makes to argue with his father but I gently pull him towards the door, shaking my head no. It wasn’t worth it arguing with his father right now. Brone wasn’t the most diplomatic person and attacking his own father over me would not help things. We wouldn’t get to ask him any questions either, there was no way his father was going to offer up any useful information to help us out.  We go to close the door behind us as we leave when his dad utters one last statement 

    “I expect her gone by the end of the day. This rogue has been on our land far too long” he doesn't even bother to look up from his paperwork, not viewing us as worth his time. Brone slams the door behind him and stalks off to his room dragging me behind him. Instinctively I dig my heels into the ground causing Brone to stop dead in his tracks. He shoots me a questioning gaze before realizing what is going on. I refuse to step into that room with him, the wounds from the other day have already healed but the memory is still fresh and raw. He tightens his grip and yanks me forward forcing me into the room with him. 

    “Stop staring at me like that, I’m not going to do anything to you.” 

    My senses are in overdrive and I refuse to let my guard down for a second. I keep a wary eye on Brone, ready for him to snap and start beating me. He reaches to touch my face and I throw my arms up defensively, taking a step back. He draws his hands back, clenching it into a fist, frustration all over his face.  

    “Look at me” 

    Hesitantly I glance from behind my hands, half expecting him to punch me the moment my face left the protection of my arms. He grabs my chin harshly and I clench my eyes. Here it comes. But the fist never makes contact, instead I feel a warmth on my lips. Confused I open my eyes and come face to face with Brones own ocean blue eyes. He’s watching me, gauging my reaction. Not sensing any resistance, he deepens the kiss pulling me closer to him. We never break eye contact, which normally would be weird but this was intimate. An acknowledgment that we understood who it was we were kissing, and that we belonged to each other. His hand grasped my neck and squeezed gently, just enough to put mild pressure, claiming it as his own.  

    “You calm now?” 

    I let out a small chuckle and look up at him, biting my lower lip “I wouldn’t exactly say I am calm now but yes, I am better for now” 

    He lets out a low growl and his eyes darken with lust 

    “Don’t do that. Especially not when we’re alone in my room. Unless you want me to take you hear and now” He starts nipping at my neck, finding the spot where he would mark me. “Unless that’s what you want little mate” 

    I flush, heat rising to my cheeks. I place my hands on his chest and press him away. His eyes return to normal and we slide away from each other, feeling mildly awkward. I fidget with my fingers not knowing where to go from here. I need to leave his pack lands, which was the plan from the beginning. This time I won’t be hindered though. Sure, we’ve made some semblance of progress today, but a day’s worth of kindness wasn’t going to wipe away 5 years of abuse. I take one last glance at my mate and then stand up, heading towards his door. I feel his hand catch mine, stopping me from leaving.  

    “Don’t go” 

    “You heard your father. He wants me gone by the end of the day” 

    Brone frowns, displeased with my answer 

    “It’s not the end of the day. You don’t have to leave yet” 

    I exhale not sure how to phrase this without causing him too much pain 

    After all he’s done ,who cares if it hurts his feelings 

    You’re callous 

    How many times do I have to remind you before it gets through your head? Don’t show compassion for those who don’t deserve it.  

    If our mate doesn’t deserve it than who does? 

    She lets out a threatening growl but says nothing else. I look at Brone, dreading what I have to say next.  

    “Maybe your father was right. You should have rejected me last night. This can never work. Everyone hates me. The pack needs someone they can trust as a Luna. How can they trust someone they view as a vile murderer?” Brone's face darkens significantly but he doesn’t say anything. He’s completely unreadable right now and it leaves me feeling on edge. I inhale deeply readying myself for this next part.  

    “I, Kaida Finch, packless rogue, rej...” his hand clenches over my mouth preventing me from completing the rejection.  

    “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. You are NOT REJECTING ME!” he snarls fiercely in my face. I’m frustrated and tired of this farce “Then you do it and get it over with. I’m leaving now, and I don’t think your wolf is going to take being separated from his mate all too well. This is the only option at this point.”  

    “We have other options Mate. There’s always another option, you just have to look for it” 

    “Oh yeah, then what is it hmm? I would love to hear this grand option you have. Come on, don’t hold out on me now.” 

    He sits on his bed wracking his brain for an option and I just roll me eyes in annoyance. He was making this harder than it needed to be. I start tapping my foot on the floor growing impatient. The sun is getting closer to setting and I would really like to find somewhere safe to shelter before dark. I make to leave again when his face lights up. 

    “The cabin” 

    I narrow my eyes at him in confusion. 

    “Remember when we were kids, there was an abandoned cabin we would play in to escape our parents? Just at the base of the Amaris’?”  

    “Yeah, I know the one” I narrow my eyes at him “what about it?” 

    “It’s just outside pack territory, on neutral ground. You could stay there, and we could still meet up. Once I become Alpha you can come back, and we’ll make you Luna” 

    I guess that could work. It could work for now, while I sort out how I feel about us and figure out what I'm going to do. It would give us a chance to figure out this whole mate bond situation, while still having an out if I need it. He stares at me expectantly, waiting for an answer, eyes brimming with hope. Hope that I'll accept and give him a chance to prove himself. 

    “Fine” I sigh apprehensively “I'll go there for now, and we will figure it out from there” 

    Hopefully I don’t come to regret this 

    If he tries anything, we will put him in his place