You Wouldn't Dare (Khaos Trilogy Book 1), стр. 21

Left with no other choice but to get dressed into the spare clothes, I quickly through them on and looked at myself in distaste. Goddess knows who they belonged to, I just prayed none of his previous girlfriends had ever worn these before me, but given the array of sizes and styles, I doubted it. They were in his room for a reason.

An unhappy thought played around the corners of my mind, telling me that mates were not all I made them out to be, especially this mating.

I swore to myself that I would not be like my parents, unhappily mated but together for the sake of their appearances. I would much rather be alone than unhappy. More than anything, I wanted a partner; I didn’t want to become a sex slave to this vicious warrior who cared for no one but himself.

Khaos came back fifteen minutes later, checking me over from head to toe and nodding slightly, as though I had passed some unspoken test of his. I straightened my spine, ready for the battle that was ahead.

“Ready?” He asked, not at all surprising me with his rough, indifferent tone.

I let out a heavy sigh, “where are we going?”

“Out.”

“Out where?”

“Business. I clearly can’t trust you to be left on your own, and so from this moment on, you will never again leave my eyesight. I’ll know where you are, every minute of the day.”

I rolled my eyes, “get a grip. Anyone would think I had run away and left you to chase me. I was exactly where you left me, locked away in your packhouse. Or have you forgotten that?”

“I don’t have time for this, Violet. Get your shit together, we need to leave.”

“And I need to eat, Khaos. Or do you expect me to starve on top of everything else?”

He gave a harsh bark of laughter, “starve? You missed breakfast of your own accord. Had you opened the door when I asked you to, you’d have realised I was inviting you down for your first meal with the pack. Not only did you embarrass the pair of us with your stupid games, but you also disrespected everyone here by refusing to meet them, to share the meal they had spent ages preparing for you. Everyone was excited, Violet, and you threw it in their faces. I doubt they want to see you right now. We’ll grab something on the way. Now move before I lose what little patience I have left.”

Tears pooled into my eyes as the penny dropped and I realise what a fool I had been. Obviously the pack had wanted to meet their new Luna. And what did I do? Lock myself in the bedroom like a child, created drama and stress on my first morning here. I felt like an idiot.

I kept my head low, refusing to let Khaos see me crying, and crossed my arms over my chest. Without another word, I walked out the door and fell in line behind him, obeying his command for the first time with no argument.

As it turned out, I did get to meet a few members of the pack today - although I can honestly say I would have happily gone the rest of my life never knowing these men existed. Khaos had taken me away from the packhouse and the surrounding village, away from the happy smiling faces, where the sounds of children screaming in happiness had filled the air. Instead, we were now on the outskirts of the pack lands where only the warriors and the guards lived.

They were nasty, rude, bad-tempered, vile individuals. They were the roughest warriors Khaos had in his army, and I just knew that today would involve a lot of bloodshed, and a lot of death.

The air was thick with expectation. Everyone we passed seemed on edge, anxiously awaiting their orders.

As soon as we entered their quarters, the warriors all turned to look at me, shooting me nasty, patronising glances as they noticed I was standing meekly by Khaos’ side. Others eyed me up with lust written all over their faces. I guess news of my punishment had reached their ears, their thoughts were written in their eyes for all to see. Khaos gave them a warning glare, ordered me to stay still by the door, to not move a muscle, and went to speak to the largest of the men, whispering in hushed, quiet voices that meant to keep me out.

Well, what was new there? My whole life I had been kept out of anything that was important.

“You needn’t concern yourself with this, Violet, darling. It’s men’s stuff. Why don’t you see if your mother needs help with her hair?”

“Oh, Violet, you wouldn’t possibly be able to keep up with what we’re saying. Let your brother handle this. Why don’t you read one of those romance novels I’m always buying you? Beautiful women like you need protecting, that’s what we’re here for.”

 My nails dug into the palms of my hands as my dad’s voice vibrated round my head. Moving packs was supposed to be my new start, my chance to prove myself, and I’d be damned if I were going to stay here and allow Khaos to treat me the same. Trying not to draw attention to myself, I shuffled closer to the two men.

I was straining so hard to listen that I didn’t see the wolf approach me, didn’t even register his presence until he laid a clammy hand on my arm.

“Well hello, beautiful. To what do we owe this pleasure?” I looked down at his hand that was stroking down my arm and shot him an icy glare.

“Take your hand off me. Please.” I muttered through clenched teeth, refusing to look in his direction