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He mistakes my motives, but I don’t correct him. “Having magic back is all that matters,” I say, sounding stronger. I won’t be there when the coven seeks their revenue.
“Come now,” he commands. When I stand, I’m determined to turn down this cruel opportunity.
I join him in front of our people. I look at Silvi, who eyes me curiously. It should be her up here. It was her plan and her idea that made this possible. Not that I regret going. The only reason I went was for her because she needed my help. She had faith I was the only one suitable for the mission, but I found more than the cure. I don’t want Silvi to decide Titan’s fate, but I don’t want any part of it either. “Is this necessary?” I shake my head.
“Rose. Sweet, kind-hearted Rose.” He grabs my hand. It would be an insult to pull away, but that’s what I want to do. “You will become my wife.”
My breathing stops, and my head begins to spin again. I feel like I’m about to pass out when a sob breaks out from across the room. I already know the voice, but I look to confirm it’s her. Tears stream down Silvi’s face. This wasn’t part of the plan.
“How could you?” Silvi says, looking right at me like this is my fault. Then she takes off quickly through the rows of people and out into the open.
I chase after her, my own tears falling. Why can’t things go back to the way they were? I catch up to her near the river and sit on the same rock.
“We can fix this,” I say, desperate for it to be true.
“No. We can’t,” she says in defeat.
“He was supposed to pick you. I did all this for you.” I try to hug her, but she pushes me away. She’s been obsessed with Markus for as long as I can remember.
“You were always the favourite.” She sobs.
Markus has always made me feel like a little kid, so I don’t know where she’s got this idea from. Yes, he gave me a bit more attention than some of the others, but I thought that was to impress Silvi.
“I can’t lead the coven. Markus and I aren’t a good match. He’s a lot older than me. This wasn’t supposed to happen,” I say in dismay.
“Please. You’re just making excuses now.” She wipes her face with her sleeve. Deep down, she knows I don’t want this. She’s hurting and lashing out at me. She needs time to calm down, but I want to soothe her pain. She’s the only one who has mattered to me for so long.
“I was better off with the werewolf curse. Now I have nothing,” I say, hating that I can’t easily fix this.
“Don’t you dare say that! Now we can be at peace with our wolves. Being a shapeshifter is a gift from the gods, not a curse from the Dutchmen.”
“Tell me how to fix this. Please. All I want is for you to be happy,” I beg. My feelings for Markus are platonic. I can’t imagine sleeping with him or giving birth to his children. A shudder runs down my spine.
“You can’t.” Silvi has always liked Markus, and he knows it. His selfish choice isn’t fair to either of us.
“I’m not giving up yet. There must be another way.”
Everyone always takes what they want, but what about what I need?
After sitting with my sister for another thirty minutes, she pulls herself together. She won’t hug me, but at least she isn’t blaming the situation on me. I leave her by the river. When I return to camp, Markus is waiting for me.
“I don’t like to look a fool, Rose,” he says, anger in his voice.
“Silvi’s always had an infatuation with you. She should’ve been your match,” I say, matching his venom.
“I need the strongest witch by my side.”
“That’s not me. I barely know any magic.” I shake my head.
“You’re wrong. You just don’t know it yet.” He walks over to me. I refuse to look away because I know he’d see it as a weakness. I don’t want him to think I can be bullied, even if it might turn him off. We’ve lived as a pack of wolves for my whole life, so my animal instincts are all I know.
He grabs me by the throat, and I try not to react. “You’re going to be mine. We can either do it the easy or the hard way, but you’ll still be mine.” He kisses me hard, but I don’t move my lips. It’s nothing like the hate kisses I’ve shared with Titan. “Fine. We’ll do this the hard way.” In anger, he pulls on my top to expose my breasts. He stares at them for a few seconds but doesn’t touch them. I adjust my top and leave him watching me through scowling eyes.
Chapter Eleven
TITAN
Pain surges through my body as the Wolfbane leader kicks my lower ribs. “Tell me how to find your mother!” he shouts.
