Chapter Nine

Lillian

Grandmother hums low in her throat as she begins filling her plate. If my words have caused her any kind of distress, she doesn’t show it. “I’m sorry, dear. I don’t think I heard you. What did you say?”

“My secret is out, grandmother. They know that I’m an alpha and things are about to get worse for us. Corbin has some crazy plans for me to serve him and mate with him and his father seems to want to forget it ever happened.”

I collapse into the wooden dining chair with an audible thump.

She sits down and takes a few bites of her food, mulling over her thoughts. “And why is it a bad thing for them to know?”

"Grandmother, you've told me for years to hide it and never let them know. Why are you acting like this isn't a big deal?"

“Well, like my mother always said, there is no use in crying over spilled milk. Did you reveal it for a good cause?” She asks, as she stuffs another bite of chicken into her mouth.

“I saved Alana, Nigel’s mate. She was dying and not answering his alpha call. My wolf took over and forced me to save her.” I nearly choke on whatever is rushing up my throat just as she takes another bite.

All thoughts of eating have left my mind. I’m too sick to even take a bite.

“Well, it sounds like you have made the right decision. There was a need, and you did what was required. I would have told you that you’re a sorry alpha if you had let her die when you had the ability to save her. Besides, they already knew you came from a long line of alphas, so it has probably crossed their minds before.”

I am completely taken by surprise by her words.

Then I hear a desolate howl piercing the air, causing me to turn my attention toward the window. “I wonder who is howling now.”

"What is what, child?"

I look at her as another howl sounds, this one seeming much closer. "Did you not hear that? This is twice now that someone howled."

She chuckles under her breath. “I haven’t heard a single howl. Now, are you going to tell me what was going on a minute ago? You looked like you had fallen, but your face was one of pure terror before enjoyment took over. It was a rather odd mix of expressions.”

I remember how the beast’s teeth felt dragging down the sides of my throat and blush. It felt so good. Just the mere memory of it sends a shiver down my spine. “I thought I was going to be eaten by the monster in the woods, but I’m not sure how you didn’t see him. He was right behind me, breathing down my neck.”

Of course, there is more to that story, but I’m not telling her that.

“When I opened the door, I only saw you, Lillian. You know what my thoughts are about what Nigel claims roams the woods. If there is a monster, he must not be too bad. He would have eaten you by now if that were the case.”

I cast a glance at the window and wait for another howl, but don’t hear another. “Well, I think something is out there, but I don’t know what it is.”

Right as I’m about to shift my glance to the table, I see a pair of glowing eyes in the distance in the woods. It holds my gaze, but only for a moment before disappearing.

Lily, you are mine.

"Lillian, are you okay? The color just drained out of your face."

One day, you and I...

"Lillian! Answer me!" Grandmother shakes me hard, snapping me out of whatever daze I’m in.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

Apprehension and anxiety cross her features as our gazes meet. "What on earth has gotten into you? You were completely zoned out, staring out the window at nothing."

"I thought I saw something.”

As she returns to her seat, I fill my plate as full as it will go, but in the back of my mind, I wonder what the monster was about to tell me. It sounded important, whatever it was.

Once we have finished dinner, I take care of the dishes and put them in the basket to go home in the morning. Grandmother doesn’t utter another word the rest of the evening until we say goodnight at bedtime.

As I lie on the couch and try to sleep, my body is restless. The monster or beast can speak to me and it seems like I’m tied to it, but how?

Sadly, there isn’t anyone I can truly ask about it. They would think I have lost my mind.

A deep breath escapes me as I try to make myself more comfortable, but every time I move, it just makes me that much more uncomfortable.

I finally give up and stand from the couch to go to the window. After a few seconds of aimlessly staring, I feel disappointed to not see something.

“Come on, I have to know what you are going to say. I have so many questions.”

I prop my elbows up on the windowsill and lean forward as I close my eyes and slowly run my hands over my face. When I finally glance out the window, I find a set of glowing red eyes staring at me.

I let out a small gasp as I jerk away from the window.

Lily.

"How do you know my name?” I search the window with my eyes, expecting to find some hint of the creature's shape, only to feel a wave of disappointment when I find nothing. All I can see are his glowing red eyes in the window, looking at me.

Mine.

“It would be nice if you could explain that to me, especially when I’d be in danger if people knew you were claiming me as yours.”

I reach out and press my hand against the window. A clawed paw suddenly appears on the other side of my hand.

"Lillian, who are you talking to?" Grandmother asks.

"I can't sleep,” I whisper as I jerk my hand away from the window.

She stares at me intently from the entrance of her bedroom door. "Did you see something? What are you doing at the window?”

When I look at the window, the beast is gone. "I guess not. Sometimes I just like watching the critters at night.”

"Looking for the beast, perhaps?” She asks as her brow raises.

"You told me you don’t believe in the beast, but even if you believed, he’s not out there.”

"He? When did the beast become a he? Is there something you need to tell me?” She rests her back against the doorway and crosses her arms firmly over her chest.

"I just know."

She takes a deep breath and releases it with a soft huff. "Well, since you are okay, I'm going back to bed, but if I didn't know any better, I'd think you're dreaming about the imaginary monster."

A small, quiet chuckle escapes my lips. If only she knew that what she believes is imaginary is very real and living outside her house in the woods. "Goodnight again, Grandmother. I'll sleep soon."

With a loud thud, she shuts the door behind her and I remain standing, my gaze fixed out the window. I wait for several minutes, but the beast never returns. "Maybe another night."

I drag my weary body to the couch and collapse in exhaustion. I'm so tired that I can hardly keep my eyes open, and before I know it, I'm asleep.

But once again, my dreams come no matter how tired I am.

I see the man again, standing in the middle of the village. His back is facing me, but he turns to look at me over his shoulder once he hears me approach.

“You’re back.”

“Yes, and so are you,” I say as heat floods my cheeks. “Why do you keep coming back?”

He turns around fully and I can tell he is grinning, though I can’t see his face clearly. “One day, you and I will be together, Lily.”

I remember hearing those words early, but not in a full sentence. “Just who are you?”

“You already know, Lily,” he says as he fades from view.

As soon as I open my eyes again, the first light of dawn appears, so I stretch my body, only to grimace in discomfort immediately.

These dreams are going to be the death of me. It always brings peace that I know won’t be there when I wake.

"You best hurry and get you some of this food. I don't want you to be late,” grandmother says as he bangs on a few pots.

"I'm getting up. Since when do you care if I’m late?”

"Since they found out you're an alpha. He might make it hard on you just because of that." She scrapes some scrambled eggs onto a plate with bacon and sits it on the table. “Come on.”

"I'll be fine. Honestly, I can take them and win. They’re already hard on me, though, so it doesn’t really matter." It’s a lie, but it’s something I say in front of her so she doesn’t know that if I challenged them, I’d lose.

Without my wolf, I can’t win, yet I don’t want her to worry.

"You may win, but you have to have the pack's backing, or it won't go over well. You need to take this time to win their favor and when your wolf deems you ready, then and only then will you challenge that fool and take this pack under your wing. But you must earn their loyalty or it’s all for nothing.”

I want to ask why I’d want to earn their loyalty when they are just as horrible as them. Why save them from something they want and don’t fight back?

I let that thought go before I upset grandmother, though. Once I reach the table, I quickly finish the meal and make my way to the other bedroom, where my extra clothes are.

“Well, I’m on my way,” I say as I emerge minutes later fully dressed. “I’ll see you tonight.”

"Off with you and be careful. Don't forget your basket."

"Love you!”

Once I’m outside, I take the time to put the basket down on her small porch and fix my mother’s cloak around my throat. I lift the basket up and then I realize that I’ve been completely calm while standing outside.

This is not normal.

My gaze moves to the woods, but everything is quiet. I make it to the path before the first twig snaps. With bated breath, I quicken my pace and make it all the way to the village before I stop.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing happened.

"That is weird. The beast didn't chase me."

I jog to my house with the basket in tow. It’s hard to believe that I didn’t hear a single sound this morning except for the initial twig snapping.

I drop everything off inside the house, including the cape, before quickly making my exit. With the door closed behind me, I head toward the alpha house, where I’m sure Nigel is waiting for me.

I arrive at the house without any issues. Corbin isn’t even outside to bother me, like he normally does.

The door is unlocked, which is a little shocking. I let it swing open and peer inside. The only sign of them expecting me is the bucket near the door filled with cleaning supplies.

Upon closer inspection, I notice a small note hanging off the side of the bucket. I lean down to pick up the note, but find that it’s blank. "That's weird. They never leave me a blank note."

"Surprised?" Corbin asks as he appears at the top of the stairs.

He slowly descends them, one by one, but keeps his gaze firmly locked on mine.

“Yes, but I guess they left you with the instructions, right?”

“Maybe,” he says. Once he reaches the last step, he looks directly at me with a grin. “Or I might have convinced my dad to leave you to me.”

"I'm not sure he would do that."

Corbin closes the last bit of distance between us and leans down until he’s about an inch away from my face. “Wouldn’t he? He wants to pretend the other day didn’t happen, but even he can’t deny the match we’d make.”

"You know Ophelia won't like this. You just need to run along and forget your interest in me,” I say as I take a step backward to get away from him.

Of course, he isn’t letting me go that easily.

He smirks, but stays directly in front of me, moving with me. “Stop trying to push me away. I’ve always known there is something special about you and now I know what it is. The alpha inside of you calls to me. We just need to bring her out.”

I bite down on my bottom lip to keep me from laughing. “My alpha calls to you? Does it? Are you sure about that?”

"Oh, you can't deny it. Stop pretending. I bet you'd love to become my mate."

When I gaze into his eyes, I see he is serious and I doubt he’d take no for an answer. “I think you might be wrong about that because I have never once been interested in you.”

He closes the gap between us again and reaches out to slide his hand across my stomach. “Think of the future alphas we’d bring into this world. They’d be strong and perfect. A blending of the alpha lines. We’d finally be joined as one.”

“You just want to make me vomit, don’t you?” I try to get away as my wolf rises to the surface to express her thoughts, but I’m abruptly cut off.

Corbin grabs me by both of my arms and traps me. His lips descend against mine, devouring me whole. I try to break free of his grasp and after several seconds pass, I finally muster enough strength to break his hold without showing too much of my abilities.

He takes a few awkward steps back and laughs.

“Are you insane? Don’t pretend that you liked me all this time. You hated me until you saw what I am. Do you think I’m just going to be your mate after all the horrible things you have put me through?”

He looks off toward the door as he reaches up to touch his lips. “It would be a shame if something happened to your only remaining family member, wouldn’t it?”

His tone is friendly, but his words are brutal. Though I’d love to think he’s not serious, deep down, I know what he’d do.

“You’re threatening me.”

His gaze finally meets mine as they shift to a glowing orange. He takes one clawed finger and drags it across his lips, nicking it. Blood bubbles to the surface, the smell reaching me in a matter of seconds.

“It’s not a threat. You know how things work around here, so you should think twice about my offer. With me, you can keep her safe and I might let you help me rule the pack. Everyone would love you and look up to you. It would make your life better, wouldn't it?”

Though his offer is tempting, I don’t want it. Not when I’m not sure what my connection to the beast in the woods is.

"Do you have anything you want me to clean or not?" I ask as I look away.

“Oh, have I mentioned that I love your determination to clean? Sure, I have something you can clean.” He heads toward the steps and I think it’s probably the bathroom again.

I grab the cleaning supplies from the base of the stairs and follow him up quietly. Instead of dropping me off at the bathroom, he leads me further down the hall, where the bedrooms are.

He stops at his door and swings it open. “I’d like for you to help me clean this room, since it will be the place we share soon. It needs a good cleaning and airing out.”

"Corbin, I am not mating with you. Your dad won't allow it because of where I come from. You're better off with Ophelia. Clearly it is her you truly want because your room reeks of her.”

He has to want her, not me. I can’t be his mate, nor do I want to be.

Before I can even move, he reaches out and grabs my arm above the elbow and yanks me toward him. He then proceeds to drag me into his room, where all the scents are intermingled.

It causes me to gag as I pick up on other smells.

"See, you need to replace her scent with your own. Your wolf is already wanting to, and you know it. That is why you are fighting me about it.”

“No, I’m resisting the urge to throw up because I can smell what you two have been doing in here. It’s saturated with your entwined scents.”

A soft laugh escapes him as he looks around the room. “You are so adorable. You’re embarrassed about your feelings for me, but you don’t have to be. I know what your heart desires.”

“Ha! I hate the scent of you two together, you nitwit. This has nothing to do with me wanting to claim you. I don’t like how you or her smell at all.”

I yank my arm free, only for him to grab me from behind around the waist.

“No need to be in a rush to get out of here. It won’t take long to replace the scent of our entwined scents with one of our own. I can show you what you’ve been missing out on all these years. It will be yours for the rest of our lives.”

The wolf inside of me rises and I emit a deep, guttural growl. "In your dreams, idiot."

My arm jerks backward, landing an elbow into his stomach. It breaks his grip long enough that I can hurl myself toward the opposite side of the room, near the window. I press my back against the wall as my hand frantically searches the wall for the window to open it.

I feel like a caged animal.

He places his hand on his stomach and rubs it before looking up to find me along the wall. “I love it when a girl fights. It makes it so much more fun.”

“You’re sick in the head if you think this is fun.”

No, no, no. This can’t be happening. I have to get out of here.

I glance around the room once more before my fingers find the latch on the window. I flick it up and turn to raise the window as quickly as possible. It’s not like I can shift or find something to use to fight with, so this is my only option.

“Don’t do it, Lillian. Don’t jump from the window. You might get hurt since you can’t shift. Then what are you going to do?”

I turn and look at him over my shoulder, only to find him a little closer than before. “Well, I’d rather take my chances over staying here with you.”

Without a second thought, I fling myself out the window and fall. I land on the ground with a soft thud and without breaking a single bone.

His raging howl echoes around the area as he looks out the window to where I landed.

“You aren’t going to get away that easily.”

He starts crawling out the window, leaving me with only one thing to do.

I take off running as fast as I can between the houses. Everywhere I think of running won’t be good. He’ll just find me and drag me back, even at grandmother’s house.

“Get back here!” I hear him call out from somewhere behind me.

Go into the woods.

My wolf is crazy, but it’s my only hope. It’s better to get killed by the monster than mate with Corbin.

When I make it into the edge of the woods, I pick up speed and run faster. I almost trip over a fallen long, but I keep going. My only hope is that he doesn’t come into the woods.

Surely, he will stop if I just keep going.

I whip my head around to check behind me to see if he is coming, but the village is no longer in sight and neither is he.

I stop running as I try to catch my breath. My hands rest on my knees and I inhale a deep breath.

But my moment of rest is interrupted.

A branch snaps, drawing my attention to the left, then I hear another. I quickly turn when I hear a low growl followed by what sounds like sniffing.

I have to admit my wolf’s idea originally sounded like a great one, but now I’m faced with the reality of my decision.

This is probably the end of me.

I’m in the beast’s domain.