Chapter 16 CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MAEVA
Taron waits until we're on the road before he starts giving me side looks.
"The meeting went as expected. Each pack is expected to volunteer a few wolves to go in and rid the forest of any rogues." I say.
"That's good. It's what they should have done in the first place."
I hum but I don't respond. I'm replaying the meeting in my head. Every conversation, every look. A few minutes later, I feel Taron’s gaze on my face and I sigh.
“Say it. Staring at me like that is creepy."
“Caius sent word.”
Of course. I'll give it to him. He's as stubborn and unrelenting as people say he is.
“What did he say?” I ask.
Taron’s jaw tightens. “He’ll be in the Eastern forest from 4 pm. He says you should feel free to join him whenever." He changed his plans, what is he up to?
"The eastern forest, that's the pack he took."
"Yes and that's not all. He says that if you don't come, you'll regret it."
A slow heat spreads through me. Anger, rage and defiance.
"How many times do I have to tell him to stop threatening me? He can go ahead and do what he wants to. I'm not tucking tail and bowing to him."
"Maeva I think you should go. He called this time and the ice in his voice when he said it, he really means it. I think he's at his wits end and he's just waiting for you to push him off the ledge."
I laugh at Taron’s words. "He can fuck himself on his way to hell."
3:30. Time slows down when you're waiting for the day to end so you can prove a point. I'm not going on that date and Caius can't force me.
4:10. I've just helped deliver a cow and it's just been twenty minutes? It felt like an hour. What is wrong with time?
I don’t dress for a date. My hair is in a tight bun and I have my sturdiest boots on, I have knives in my tight leather pants and my face looks fierce. I look ready to fight not go on a date. Just perfect.
I take the car and drive off without telling Taron that I'm leaving. Today I will try hard to drum it into Caius’ head that I'm not interested in this bond and that he can reject me and find a chosen mate for himself.
His scent reaches me before I see him. Calm, dominant and infuriatingly beautiful. I park the car and get down then I start walking to where he's sitting on the ground.
The closer I get, the more irritated I become. He's sitting on a picnic blanket and there's a basket to his left that smells amazing.
I stop several paces away.
"Your grand date idea is a picnic." I say.
He shrugs but doesn't smile. Something feels off. Taron was right, he looks tired of this bullshit. Maybe he'll finally agree to stop it.
"You would never agree to step into a restaurant with me." he says.
"You're right. I can see from your face that you're exhausted by this annoying back and forth. I don't want this bond and I'm clearly annoying you. Save us both the stress and end this thing."
"I'm not that frustrated, I can manage." He says and stands up.
"Maeva, this is the pairing of my dreams, why would I ever give it up?"
"I don't want this bond. Power isn't equal."
"Power is never equal in mate bonds. If I wasn't an Alpha and you weren't an Alpha too, we still wouldn't be equals in power. Someone always has to be the weaker one."
"I want a pairing where the weaker one isn't me."
"Too damn bad, Maeva. You're stuck with me. Sit down, let's discuss and come to an agreement that serves us both."
Sit down? How dare he?
I move first. There is no warning, no preparation. One second we’re standing a few paces apart, the next I’m closing the distance with my blade already out, body low, intent sharp.
Caius doesn’t flinch. He pivots instead, catching my wrist before the knife can slice him. I twist, wrench my wrist free and slash again. He steps back this time, eyes bright, and mouth set in something close to concern.
Good. He'll finally understand that I'm not joking. I kick for his knee and he blocks, knocking the breath out of me as he backs me into a tree. Bark scrapes my spine. I snarl and half shift, letting my wolf come forward, she's not happy. His eyes glow red when I push back.
I swipe at his chest but he moves. He’s fast — faster than me — but that doesn't bother me. I attack again and smile when I feel skin tear, and smell his blood. He answers with his shoulder slamming me sideways hard enough to blur my vision.
I hit the ground and jump up before he can pounce.
"I'm done with this foolishness Maeva. Let's talk."
I ignore his plea and lunge at him. He sidesteps and his hand closes around my arm, wrenching it behind me as he slams me face-first into the ground. The breath leaves my lungs in a harsh gush. I fight, claw for leverage, but he's knee is in my back, locking me in place.
I snarl, fury burning hot and bright. “Get off me.”
“No.” He says calmly.
I buck again and he tightens his grip just enough to remind me of who I'm dealing with.
"Are you ready to talk now?" He asks, his lips very close to my ear.
His voice sends tremors through my body and my nipples perk up.
"I'm stronger than you are, and that terrifies you. Maybe because you believe strength only takes but it won't be like that between us Maeva. I promise you that right now.”
"Yeah right." I spit out
He shifts his weight, easing up on me a little.
“If I wanted your spirit broken, Maeva,” he says, his voice low at my ear, “it will take less than the energy I’m using to beg you to do it.”
My heartbeat increase and my head spins. He eases up on me and I stand immediately. I dust myself up and turn to him, glaring at him.
"You think that way right now because this bond is new and you're willing to say anything to seal it. What happens when we bond and I become subject to your demands? What happens when our opinions differ but I can't do what I want because it goes against your wishes and the bond won't let me do that?"
Tears threaten to spill and I immediately shift and start running. Taron can come for the car later. He'll never understand the situation I'm in.
No one ever will.