Chapter 13

13

M y mouth opens, then closes again. His words have left me speechless. Something so powerful no one could stop us.

Is that how it is in his world?

Hunter comes around to my side of the bed, and I quickly stand. "I know this is a lot to take in. You have plenty to think about, but remember that us, married, could change the game and the number of deaths that happen unnecessarily."

I step back, feeling cornered. "I'm not going to marry you. I don't know you, and you've made those feelings about where I stand with you pretty clear, especially last night when you told me you were only here because I was promised to you."

He releases a frustrated breath, his hand coming up and sliding down his tired face. "Why are you being so difficult?"

" I'm being difficult?" I grit through my teeth. "How dare you?" I stomp up to him, my finger stabbing him in the chest. " You brought me here when I wanted nothing to do with you or your family or even to do with my own. They abandoned me. Do you know what it's like growing up with nothing? Searching for your next meal in the trash? Having foster parents treat you like garbage? No, you wouldn't because you had your family," I scream, angry, frustrated, and exhausted as my throat clogs with emotion.

I move around Hunter and head straight for my bathroom. I don't want him to see the tears already falling down my cheeks.

"Aelina," he calls after me.

I don't stop. I can't. My heart is racing at a crazy erratic speed. After opening the door, I quickly head inside, slamming and locking it. My sweaty palms grip at my tight chest. I attempt to inhale to calm myself, but my breath gets caught in my throat. My legs give way, and I slide down the door, collapsing in a heap on the floor. Silent sobs rip through my already tender body.

I'm worn down with all the new information given to me over the last couple of days. I've exposed more of myself than I wanted to with Hunter. I don't want Hunter to see me emotional and weak. He could use that against me, which I don't need.

The door handle wiggles. "Aelina, let me in," Hunter demands, and hearing that tone only makes me more defiant.

"No. Go away. You don't own me."

Silence, then his words become more demanding and dominant. "Oh, believe me, Little Red. I own you. You belong to me, and one way or another, you will be mine, whether it is by choice or force." His tone combined with the threat of his words, rattle me to the core.

My body trembles as rage ignites inside me like a wild inferno, and I break out in a sweat, sending a shudder through me. My hands ball into fists, and my nostrils flare in complete exasperation.

He's infuriating, and I want to show him just how strong this tiny girl can be. Pulling myself off the floor, I unlock the door and yank it open.

Hunter stands there red-faced, his eyes hauntingly cold.

My hands come up and shove him hard in the chest. "I will never be yours. Get out!" I yell and continue to shove him in the chest.

He takes a step back each time. After three pushes, he snatches my wrists tight in his grip, and I wrestle against his hold.

"Stop." His booming voice echoes against the walls.

My heart jumps into my throat. He's furious, the vein in his neck popping out and throbbing in time with his heartbeat.

I stop struggling, and Hunter lets go of my wrists. My arms fall to my sides, my skin burning from his tight grip.

We both pant for breath, fiercely staring at each other. Then something within me clicks, and I turn my back to him. I release a heavy sigh. "Just get out, Hunter."

I wring my hands together, my shoulders sagging, hoping he leaves. Instead of the door closing, there's heat at my back. Hunter's low growl against my ear causes me to stiffen. "You can deny me all you want, Little Red, but I don't see any other option for you. Become mine and be safe, or leave and end up in a shallow grave dug by either my father or yours. Take your pick."

Tingles run down my spine, and I can't stop the shiver washing over me. The promise in his words pushes fear ahead of any other emotion trying to gain first place in my body.

What options do I really have?

Do I want Hunter? Possibly.

Do I want to marry him? Uh...no. I hardly know him.

Do I want to end up dead? Hell no.

Warm lips press against my neck, and I automatically tilt my head, allowing him.

Damn you, body.

"Stop denying what you really want...which is me," he states with a hint of arrogance that has me snapping back to reality so fast I have whiplash.

I move away from Hunter and turn to face him. A cocky grin is plastered across his good-looking face.

"For all you know, I'm playing you ." My eyebrows raise, and his smile is gone as soon as the words leave my mouth. "You're the one playing with fire. I may appear to be a broken little girl, but there's so much about me you don't know..." I pause, a smug look on my face, then continue, "Game. On."

Hunter laughs a full-bellied kind of laugh. "Oh, Little Red, you have no idea who you're dealing with. Let's make a deal. Whoever succumbs first to the other gets what they want. For you, that means freedom. I can help you disappear. For me..." He shifts closer and leans over me, his dark eyes holding my gaze. My chest tightens, awaiting the rest of his response. "I get you. All of you."

He thinks he's so smart.

"Get out, Hunter. You're not needed. Go deal with bad people."

His eyes widen slightly, but he says nothing and nods.

I release the breath I was holding. How the hell am I going to resist Hunter? My body demands his touch—craves it. I have to control myself and not fall into his trap.

"What the hell have I gotten myself into?" I mutter to an empty room.

Moving to my suitcase, I get out my flip-flops to head out, needing something to eat. My stomach is ready to eat itself. It's growling that much.

The house is silent as I walk down the hallway and approach the kitchen. No May or Hunter. I step out the back door. A lush green, freshly cut lawn glistens under the sun. The same barn I saw yesterday has a door wide open, and I catch a glimpse of a tractor. Beyond the barn are open fields. Part of it is full of tall trees and thick bushes surrounding half the property like a protective wall from the outside world. The scene takes my breath away.

A place like this never existed to me, but in my dreams, I'd always wished to walk around somewhere as amazing as this.

I head toward the large brown and white barn. My flip-flops crunch along the dirt path. When I get to the door, a horse whinnies inside, and curiosity gets the better of me. I pull the door open, and the scent of hay and animals hits my senses. It's comforting, in a way. It feels homey and welcoming.

This is something I would have really enjoyed growing up. I would have liked to be a country bumpkin. I laugh to myself at the thought.

A loud snort and stomping of feet catch my attention as I walk past the stalls. Turning toward the sounds, I find a black horse. She's beautiful with a silky, shiny coat and white spots on her hind.

I click my tongue. "Here, girl," I whisper so as not to startle her.

Her head comes up at the sound of my voice. Then she turns and walks toward me. I hold out my hand, waiting for her to come close. She sniffs my outstretched hand, and I move my fingertips over her nose. Without further hesitation, she comes closer and allows me to rub the side of her face.

"Aren't you a pretty girl?" I coo.

"Her name is Snowflake."

My hand whips away from the horse so fast it startles her, and she rears up, stomping her hooves.

May steps up beside me. "Snowflake here is a toey girl. Real skittish. She doesn't even let me pet her like you just did." May gently shoves my shoulder.

"Then why do you keep her?" I question. I hold my hand out again, hoping Snowflake will come back to me.

"She's special. Plus, she holds a place in my heart." May pulls a carrot out of the bucket hooked on her arm, and Snowflake pauses, eyeing the carrot. Still, she doesn't come for it. May holds the carrot out for me to take. "Here. She might take it from you."

I take it nervously from her grip, glancing sideways at her, unsure of what to do. I'm worried Snowflake will nip me. "Won't she bite my fingers off? I've never fed a horse before."

May laughs at my moment of panic. "No. Just hold it out, and she'll bite the top off, then lay it flat on your hand, and she'll take it from there. Bend your fingers back so there's no loose skin for her to chomp on."

I quickly hand the carrot back, earning me more laughter. "Will you stop laughing at me? You deprived me of this part of growing up," I snap, and instantly regret what I said. May's face drops, her radiant smile disappearing. I reach out and rest my hand on her shoulder. "May, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You were doing what you thought was best. I'm sorry."

May brushes away a single tear, and I'm filled with remorse. "Don't worry about it, dear."

Before I can say anything, Snowflake nudges my cheek. I jump away, scared she's going to bite my face. When I settle my nerves, I catch May holding her chest in a fit of laughter. "Oh, come on. Cut me some slack."

"She's very drawn to you, which is no surprise." May holds the carrot back out to me. Hesitantly, I grab it and hold it like she instructed.

"Why is it no surprise that she's taken to me?" I can't help but ask as I lay the second part of the vegetable on my palm, and Snowflake takes it easily.

I give her a gentle rub down her neck as she sniffs around me for more food.

May hands me an apple and says, "Because she was meant to be yours."