He took a deep breath before speaking again. “You are only saying these things because of your dream last night. I understand you fear becoming evil like him, but you never will.”
“You can’t know that.”
“You can’t let him get into your head.”
“I can’t stand by and tolerate this either, Kobal. I can’t take the chance I could be twisted as a weapon against you and others I love.”
“You aremyChosen; there is no denying that. Even if my marks upon your body fade away, demons will still recognize my claim on you, still sense it and know who you belong to.”
I tilted my chin up. “I belong to me. I am not a possession.”
“You aremine.”
“Not anymore!”
Turning on my heel, I stormed away from him and flung open the flap dividing the sleeping area from the main tent. Before the flap fell back into place, he was coming in behind me and filling the room with his overwhelming presence. When he reached for my arms, I dodged his grasping hands.
“River,” he growled. He loomed over me as he backed me toward the corner of the tent.
His fingers stretched out to touch my cheek, but I slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
“I’ll do whatever I want to you.”
“If you force me to do anything with you, I willneverforgive you!”
He rested the palms of his hands on either side of my head against the canvas wall. “I don’t have to force you; your body craves mine even now.”
Perhaps it was true, but I refused to acknowledge his words, or how stimulated I was by his nearness. I tilted my chin further up. “And it will crave another.”
Gold erupted in his eyes as his fangs burst free of his mouth.
Too far, you pushed too far.
Beside my head, his claws punctured the heavy canvas of the tent. I didn’t know if he was aware of it or not, but circles of fire erupted to ring his thick wrists. I held my breath. I’d always been so certain he would never hurt me, but I’d never seen him completely lose control before. He may not turn into a wolf, but I felt as if a wild beast stood across from me, one who was being denied its mate and would not stand for it.
“If you ever turn to another, I will wear his balls as a necklace!” he spat.
“You’re acting like a possessive, commanding, overbearing monster!”
His nostrils flared and a muscle in his jaw twitched as a vein in his forehead throbbed. Somehow he managed to keep himself restrained from grabbing me. “You knew what I was when this started, yet you still eagerly welcomed me between your thighs and screamed my name.”
I felt as if I’d been slapped. He was right, about everything, but things would be different now; they had to be. “It doesn’t change that I want you to leave.”
He lowered himself so we were eye level with each other. “You should think long and hard about this. I know what you saw was upsetting to you, but it had to be done in order to make a point and keep you safe. I know what happened with Lucifer last night has confused you, but that was what he intended to do. Right now, you’re reacting hysterically to both of those things. Once you calm down you will realize that. However, if you tell me again to leave here, I will not come back.”
Maybe he might have had a bit of a point. However, the minute he said I was acting hysterically, my hackles rose, and I had to fight not to kick his nuts into his throat while laughinghysterically.
Instead, I gritted my teeth and held his eyes as I uttered two words. “Get. Out.”
He stared at me for a minute, so still he didn’t even breathe. Then his muscles began to vibrate, and he slapped his hands against the side of the tent. The unexpected motion caused me to jump, but I didn’t break his gaze. Turning on his heel, he threw up the flap dividing the rooms and departed.
I stood, my knees shaking and my heart shattering as tears spilled from my eyes. My legs finally gave out on me, and I crumpled to the floor as sorrow tore through my heart.What have I done?I rested my forehead against the dirt floor when my muscles began to cramp.What had to be done.
Maybe it had, maybe it was best to break this off before it could go any further, but I didn’t think I’d ever be able to walk again as a spasm wracked my muscles.
I couldn’t give up my humanity and who I essentially was for him, or for Lucifer. It would turn me into Lucifer if I did, and I was determined to be the apple that fell farfarfrom his tree!
CHAPTER 43
