Chapter Eleven

Lillian

The day passes as everyone prepares for the funeral. Well, the pack has, but not me.

All I have to do is show up in three days, or at least, that is what I have been told. As night falls, I feel restless. I’m basically a ball of nerves until the day of the funeral arrives.

As I turn to walk toward the funeral pyre, I feel conflicted. Ophelia has never been my friend and has tormented me for as long as I can remember. I see her laying on top of the straw and wonder if I’ll be able to shed a single tear for her.

Grandmother nudges my arm while facing forward. We take our places near the front line, off to the side, and stay there. I turn to glance at her, only to realize she is looking at me from the corner of her eye.

A ragged sigh escapes me as I realize I don’t look sad, but I should. Otherwise, they’re going to think I’m guilty of something I didn’t even do.

Corbin approaches slowly from behind us. I can feel him even without seeing him. As he passes by me, I can see him looking my way, though I never turn to look at him.

He takes his place near his father, near the pyre.

“Whenever one of our pack members passes, it is a sorrowful moment. Ophelia had her entire life ahead of her. She was bright and promising. I express my apologies to her family for the loss of their beloved daughter. All of this was caused by the horrible actions of the beast. Ophelia will be missed.”

I try to hide my laughter as I realize everything he is spouting off is nothing but a lie. He won’t miss her. She was just someone else he used. So why does he bother pretending?

After hearing the beast’s words and now this, I’m starting to wonder if he didn’t kill her himself.

But to find out, I’ll have to go back and speak to the beast.

As I check out the scene before me, it’s all too clear. The way Nigel and Corbin are looking at each other says it all.

Ophelia caused an outburst when Corbin announced that we would mate on the next full moon in front of the pack. She had always planned to become Luna when Corbin became alpha.

What if they truly murdered her to keep things quiet?

What if everything we’ve been told about the disappearances is a lie?

My eyes dart over my shoulder to look at the rest of the pack, but their faces don’t give me the answers I seek. Most are still weeping over Ophelia.

But when I turn to look at Nigel, there’s not a tear to be found. They are dry, like mine.

I lean over to whisper something in Grandmother's ear, but she shakes her head not to speak. My eyes widen in surprise, but she has a point. We can discuss this later once we are in the safety of her cottage.

As the last part of the ceremony comes to a close, Corbin takes on the responsibility of delivering the final words before they pick up a torch and light the pyre on fire. The pack begins making a line and coming up to the fire to toss in a flower each before leaving.

I take my spot at the back of the line with grandmother, but Corbin comes out of nowhere and wraps his arms around me.

“We will go together since we are the future of the pack.”

My wolf growls low in response at the mere touch of his skin against my bare arm, but I don’t shove him away. I definitely don’t want to upset the pack further.

When it’s finally our turn, I realize I don’t have a flower to throw into the fire. He oddly has two in his hand and gives me one as he leans down to caress the shell of my ear with his lips.

“It would be best if you get your wolf under control. She is not as hidden as she once was. Your growl was very audible.”

Before I can respond, he pulls me up toward the pyre and we toss our flowers into the flames. We turn around and he drags me off to the side, but continues to keep a tight grip on me.

“You could at least act happy and do your duty.”

He pulls me harder and I finally give in to walking with him.

“I’m not happy, Corbin, nor will I ever be. I’m stuck with you, apparently.”

We are near the alpha house before he stops, which is far enough away and out of earshot of other pack members.

His hand trails down my arm and stops at my wrist. “I look forward to breaking that spirit of yours.”

“Not if I break you first,” I say, hoping that I look as fierce as I feel. “So, go ahead and try me, fluffers.”

He pulls away, and a smirk pulls at the edge of his lips. A low rumble in his chest pulls my attention there. “I love when I get that reaction out of you. You will be a thrilling challenge to conquer.”

Surprisingly, I jerk my arm out of his grasp, causing him to be caught off guard. “I’m not some notch to add to your belt. When are you going to learn that?”

He looks behind me and I guess someone has passed by. Once he ensures they are far enough away, he leans down and gets in my face. “You don’t have much of a choice in this because my father has already declared it in front of everyone. This is how things are going to go and you will never get away from me. You might as well surrender your heart, body, and soul to me. It doesn’t have to be this hard.”

“What if my heart, body, and soul are not meant to be yours?”

He reaches out and slides his fingers under my chin to force me to meet his gaze. “I will claim every inch of you, little alpha. You don’t realize the fire you are playing with. One wrong step and you’ll burn.”

I try to jerk my chin out of his grasp, but he tightens it and keeps me still. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Claiming what is mine.”

His lips crash against mine, but the kiss doesn’t last long before a loud bellow sounds from the woods.

Corbin jerks as if he’s been scalded and removes his hand from my chin as his darkened gaze moves toward the woods.

I can’t help but turn to see what is going on, even though I’m furious with him for kissing me.

Everyone within our line of sight is turned to face the woods. It’s near the path to my grandmother’s.

As the bellow sounds again, it is so hauntingly beautiful. It seems like the creature making the noise is crying out, calling for its mate in sadness. It’s as if a magnetic force has seized me and is pulling me toward it. I move in the direction of the sound, wishing to end the poor monster’s sadness.

I only make it a couple of steps before I’m jerked backward and my back meets Corbin’s hard chest.

“Lillian, what are you doing?”

“Let me go,” I whisper. “I have to answer the call.”

“What is wrong with you? You don’t need to answer that call.” He jerks at my arm again and keeps placing me flushed against his chest. “Snap out of it.”

As I feel his hand caress my back, I remember the kiss and blink a few times. Whatever had a hold of me lessens. “What are you talking about?”

Corbin comes around so I can see his face as he studies me. “You were zoned out and going toward the woods.”

"I don't know what you're talking about. The sound of loud bellowing caught my attention, and I was curious about its source, so I was just going closer to the woods to see if I could see what was making that sound.” It’s mostly a lie because now that I’ve come to know what was making that sound.

It’s the beast in the woods, but I don’t know why his call has that effect on me.

"Come on, we have to go talk to dad."

Corbin grabs my arm roughly and pulls me along beside him. I don’t fight him this time, but I turn and look at the woods. There is nothing there, sadly.

As I turn around, I become tired of being dragged along. “I can walk beside you. You don’t have to pull me along like a child.”

Corbin stops walking and gently drops his hand until we’re just holding hands. “You aren’t going to cause problems? If you do, then I can’t promise that I’ll be gentle with you.”

"That all depends on you. Are you going to cause me to make problems?" Honestly, I want nothing more than to punch him, but in a sense, he is a means to an end.

If I mate with him, then I can keep my grandmother safe. The pack will rally behind us and I can hopefully keep Corbin in line.

But can that be done? Will he even listen to me?

I shake my head and try to focus on the present moment.

“Come on, then. Let’s go, Lillian.”

As I follow behind Corbin, I can’t resist sneaking a quick glance at the woods. Sadly, there is still nothing there and a sigh of disappointment slips out of my lips.

Oh, how I wish I could see him just once.

When I turn to follow Corbin once more, a barely audible whisper in the back of my mind catches my attention.

Lily.

My wolf rushes to the surface, preening and ready to be seen. Is that my man?

I feel a little awkward about the sudden possession. How could the monster be mine? Sure, he claims I’m his, but it’s never made any sense.

I think about running to him right now, but I don’t know what good it would do for me to go to him. Would I be able to calm him?

We don’t even know each other.

I roll my eyes, allowing a small chuckle to escape.

When Corbin hears it, he turns and looks at me with a confused expression. “What’s so funny?”

“I’m just trapped in my thoughts. That’s all.”

We arrive at the alpha’s house a few seconds later. Suddenly, I feel weird and anxiety creeps in.

Corbin takes the steps up to the porch and then crosses the porch, leaving me behind.

“Come inside.”

I slowly ascend the stairs and cross the porch, going straight through the open door. My eyes dart around the space as he shuts the door. Everything is in disarray again.

Corbin stands beside me, his hands shoved into his pant’s pockets. “The house will get better. I will find someone else to clean. My family is just slobs.”

“That’s my job,” I whisper.

“Not anymore. You will become the luna when we mate in a little over two and a half weeks, so cleaning is beneath you. I will find someone else suitable to do it. As for you, you will not raise a single finger to clean this house. Do you understand?”

The way he says it, I’m almost too nervous to be defiant, which is odd for me.

“Why the sudden change?”

“Because, as my mate, you will be too busy performing your duties to the alpha. That means conceiving my children and raising them.”

I nearly gag, but fight it. It’s an automatic reaction, but the mere thought of laying there, letting him touch me and conceiving his children makes me sick.

“What makes you think that I will let you touch me like that? You saw what happened when you tried to pin me against the wall in your room.”

He jerks his right hand out of his pocket and runs it through his hair, making it messy again. “I hate to break it to you, but once we are mated, you will beg for my touch.”

I fall a little as my legs give out and land against his chest. Of course, I try to right myself immediately, just to get away from him. But he takes full advantage of my weak legs.

“Don’t try to run away from this. You know we belong together. Just think about it because it makes sense. I’m an alpha and so are you. Our children will be stronger.”

“I’m not exactly running, but you are crazy if you think I’m going to beg for you to do anything to me.” Despite my best efforts to pull away, I’m leaning at an awkward angle, so getting upright means touching him more.

As soon as I get to where I can stand, he yanks me by the arm and I fall right into his arms.

“You play so hard to get, but I like that. It makes it that much sweeter when you beg.”

“Shouldn’t you be mourning Ophelia? You were with her for a long time.” Please let go of me.

A low chuckle escapes him. “Are you jealous that there was another before you? She never meant anything to me and I’ve told you as much. You are the perfect mate and in just two and a half weeks, you’re going to be mine forever.”

He traces his thumb across my bottom lip and in that moment I don’t know what I fear more. If I become his mate, then I’m giving in to save the pack.

A pack who hates me and torments me.

I’m giving in to the abuse I’ve suffered by his hands.

But what about destiny?

That’s right. Destiny. So do I give in to the abuse or do I try to find my destiny?

Suddenly, Nigel walks in through the front door and disrupts our moment.

“It seems you both have started working on those grandbabies with no delay. I’m hoping they will happen sooner rather than later.”

I try to escape Corbin again, but upon hearing his father’s words, he grips me tighter.

“We will have children in a few months. I believe my mate is eager to start and I know I am. We won’t be apart for the next few weeks as we try to start our family.”

My wolf chooses that moment to rise to the surface and express her thoughts. I want a bath after this. Please tell me we can take a bath.

“Eager? What part of this looks eager to you?” I ask, my voice becoming high pitched.

“See, she can barely contain her excitement,” Corbin says with a huge grin.

I slowly glance in his father’s direction, wondering if he truly buys it.

That sorry dog doesn’t even care how I truly feel because there is a mischievous smile plastered on his face. It’s clear he knows my feelings about this.

“That she is. I wish we could move the ceremony up, but in order for this to be official and blessed, you two must wait until the full moon. Can’t risk anything horrible happening, now can we?”

Nigel walks across the living room into the kitchen and disappears out the back door, leaving us alone again.

I focus on his words. Couples always wait until the full moon so their union is accepted.

“Now that we are alone, I can have all the quality time with you I want. How about we get to know one another a little better?”

"I'd like to go see my Grandmother. It’s time for me to check on her.”

His hold loosens, but not enough to break free. "You just saw her. I'm sure she'll be fine while we go on a date."

"A date?" Though his words drip like honey and are just as sweet, Corbin is nothing but a snake, waiting to bite.

"I thought it would be a pleasant surprise.”

I turn in his arms with a look of disbelief on my face as I stare at him. “This isn’t like you.”

He looks up at the ceiling as if he's lost in thought, but it doesn’t last long. His dark eyes refocus on me for a moment before he leans down to plant a kiss on my lips. "Just say yes, mate.”

I stop him, my fingers over his lips, blocking mine from him. "Okay, I'll go, but please keep your lips off me."

He smiles as his tongue darts out between his lips, wetting my fingers. "Okay, wait here. I need to go tell dad something, but I expect you to be waiting for me here."

"Okay. I'll wait."

I watch as he disappears into the kitchen and hear the back door slam shut a second later. A date is not what I want to do, but it will give me a chance to figure out what their plan is.