Chapter 4

Claire's POV

A loud voice echoed in the hall. "You are not taking my daughter with you!"

It was Father.

He took a couple of steps forward and pushed me behind him. An act that had Darien narrowing his eyes at us. My heart pumped loudly in my chest and fear started to pool in. I was scared, for my father.

"Just who do you think you are to stop me?"

Father still held my hand, pushing me behind him, an act we all knew would be futile if Darien made a move. "She's the best thing to happen to me and I won't let you hurt her."

"I'm not going to hurt my mate. She doesn't want to be with me as much as I don't want to be with her. I just want pups and she's the only one who can give them to me."

He was getting frustrated with the endless bickering judging from how he pinched the bridge of his nose. He could have all our heads in seconds if he wanted to.

"You are going to hurt my daughter." Mother had finally come to and was standing up for me. A big mistake as Darien growled at her causing her to fall back to the ground with a whimper.

I pulled away from Father, walking over to my mate and taking his arm, begging him with my eyes not to hurt my mother.

He sighed. "You can have her back in nine months when she gives me an heir."

Mother crawled over to Father who had gone quiet. He was seriously contemplating the situation.

Father bowed his head in defeat. "Nine months and no more."

Mother gasped and began wailing as the words left Father's lips. It was over, I was going to bear the beast a child.

"What about the prophecy?" I knew my words would fall on deaf ears but I had to.

Father responded. "It's all safe as long as you don't get marked or intend to be together."

"I'm not doing this." I stomped my foot like a child. Maybe if he saw how childish I was, he'd relent, a pitiful thought.

"You are and you will. Think of it as saving everyone. You do this and you are free. Free from him and if you'd like you can pick a mate again." Father tried comforting me but it didn't work.

I knew that wasn't true. I could never have a mate again. Not with everything that just happened. Everyone feared the beast and no one would want to take what was his, even leftovers.

I was never returning and deep down, I think everyone else knew too but we remained in denial, believing in the beast's words.

***

*

Immediately we walked into the pack house, he pulled me by the arm. "Welcome to hell, Darling."

I tried to pull away from him, giving him a piece of my mind now that he had no leverage over my head. "Firstly, stop with the pet name-calling. It doesn't go well with your image."

He pulled me closer, we were breathing the same air now as he held my eyes in his icy orbs. "My image? And what just might that be?"

I responded with a shaky breath. "You know, arrogant, mean, insufferable."

He took a deep breath, his head touching mine."Is that all?" His hand wound around the small of my back.

His actions sent a pool of wetness between my legs. I knew he could sense my arousal, anyone for miles could. It was turning into an ocean as he pushed me into him.

"Rude, ruthless, evil?" I stated breathlessly, nearly giving in to my desire.

"Rude? I've been nothing but polite since we met." His lips were inches from mine. My eyes closed subconsciously as I waited for his lips to meet mine.

A couple of seconds and the expected fireworks had yet to come. My eyes flutter open to meet a smirk graciously on his lips.

"If I was rude I'd take you here and now, even with the pack members gaping at us."

Pack members?

Slowly, I turned to find several eyes gawking at us. I pushed him away instantly, adjusting my not-so-messy auburn hair and nude, strapless maxi dress. My toes danced in my flip flops, anything to get over the awkward moment.

"Everyone, this is my mate, Claire. Treat her the same way you'd treat me, with respect." I watched a different aura wrap around him, the same way it did with my father except he was more powerful. "Her orders hold the same power as mine."

No one said a word. The room fell dead silent before the clapping started. A bunch of wolves walked up to me, congratulating me and wishing me happiness. I returned their heartfelt wishes with a forced smile.

He whispered in my ears, "I'll show you to our room."

Our room.

The wheels spun in my head as I recalled the exact reason why I was there. I was here to mate with my mate! No romance, foreplay, just plain sex.

He wouldn't force me if I didn't want to, right? He'd let me settle in, get used to being here, and having him around before shoving his shaft down my hole.

I snickered at the silly thought, this was the Beast we were talking about and he didn't care about how I felt and had any emotions whatsoever. He'd take what he wanted even if it meant hurting me in the process, that's who he was, a Beast.

I paused in my tracks. "I want a room of my own."

"What are you talking about? How would that make me look? My mate sleeping in a different room from mine."

I tried to reason with him. "I'm sure they wouldn't think too much of it. I'm still getting to know you. It's normal, all wolves take time getting to know themselves before moving to the next phase."

I thought I had the perfect counterattack, I really did.

"We aren't other wolves, we are cursed."