Reasoning

My glass was filled to the brim, and I was close to losing it again. I had never gotten mad at Levi; we had never fought like this. But one car drive with this man, and I wanted to yell at him to pull over. I didn’t know if it was so I could slap him or rip his clothes off and ride him. What the hell is wrong with me? If you’re coming to pick a woman up to bring home, wouldn’t you think of cleaning house so you could empty out your whores?

“Well? Let’s hear your reasoning for this one,” I huffed. I pulled my hand from his grip, and this time, he let me go. Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I inched to the right, closer to the window and further away from him. He didn’t have to look at me for me to know he could see me in his peripheral vision.

“The Goddess given truth is I was excited,” Andrius said honestly.

“What?” I asked. I half laughed and half sounded delirious.

“I was excited. I wasn’t thinking about anyone else but you. My mind was filled with thoughts of you all day and getting you in my car and taking you home. I didn’t end things with them because I was thinking of all the time we’d spend together and all the things I wanted to do with you. When Levi reached out to me, I drove faster than I am now. I know it’s irresponsible of me not to take care of things before coming to get you. It’s not fair and my reason doesn’t excuse my behavior, but I’ll take care of it as soon as we get home,” Andrius said.

Never in my life have I been so upset with someone. Even with Dylan, I never got so angry that I talked about how I felt and yelled at him. At least, not until I broke up with him. Communication was nonexistent in my relationship with Dylan but I didn’t want it to be in this one. Not with Levi and not with Andrius. I inhaled deeply through my nose as I tried to compose myself and exhaled until there wasn’t anymore air in my lungs. Nope. Still upset but not as pissed as I was earlier.

“Okay,” I said.

“Okay?” Andrius asked.

“Yes, okay,” I repeated.

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“It means I understand why you didn’t clean things up before coming to get me, but that doesn’t mean I’ll accept it going forward. I’ve been in a relationship where I had to make excuses and take whatever bullshit lie he told me. I’ve felt trapped with someone that was supposed to make me feel safe and secure, Andrius and I won’t do it again. I won’t do it for you and I wouldn’t do it for Levi. He wouldn’t ask me to and you shouldn’t either,” I said.

“I wouldn—”

“I wasn’t done talking,” I said. His mouth opened and closed before he nodded. “I won’t let anyone treat me like that again. Not saying you are, but I won’t take your shit. Treat me properly because I’m not someone who will give second chances,” I said firmly. It felt so damn good standing up for myself and laying out what I would and wouldn’t take. I was proud of myself for being able to do this. Eyes started to fill my eyes, not from sadness, but from happiness. I was proud of myself. I was happy.

“Yes, Luna,” he answered.

“Good,” I said. He reached over and pulled my hand. I uncrossed my arms and let him pull my hand to his lap. He held it tightly as he drove with one hand.

“Permission to speak?” Andrius teased.

“Request granted,” I said.

“I would never want you to feel like you’re trapped with me. I don’t ever want to be in the same group as your dumb fuck of an ex. I know we’re both of alpha blood, but I swear on the Goddess, we’re of different breeds. I want you to feel safe with me. I want you to know I would never hurt you; emotionally or physically. I don’t want to do anything that makes you fear me. I know we haven’t known each other for long, but I want us to get to know each other,” he said.

“I want to get to know you better too,” I said honestly.

“Good,” he murmured as he intertwined our fingers together. “I plan on treating you like a queen, my quee—”

“Mistress,” I said, cutting him off before he can move on.

“What?” He asked.

“Your Mistress. Levi calls me it and I like it. I like it a lot,” I said.

“Mistress. I won’t just treat you properly. I’m going to treat you and serve you like My Mistress, but understand that I liked to be served as well. You have needs and so do I. I’ll want your trust and your loyalty, just as you want mine,” Andrius said.

“That sounds fine to me,” I whispered.

“Good,” he said as his thumb caressed my index finger.

A few minutes passed in silence as he drove. I swallowed as we drove toward his pack and I couldn’t help but wonder if his close friends would like me. What would his people think of me? Before I could start panicking, Andrius squeezed my hand.

“Done,” he said.

“What is?” I asked.

“I linked my Beta, Duke. He’s going to start the process to notify the woman and her father. I might have to meet with him this week,” Andrius said.

“Just the one meeting?” I asked.

“Should only be one,” he said. I nodded.

“Thank you for taking care of it,” I said.

“Don’t thank me. I don’t want there to be any question about how I feel toward you,” he said. I had been on the defense when I felt suspicious of him, but I felt better now. I wouldn’t let him off the hook until I knew it was officially taken care of. A chosen mate for an Alpha isn’t something that’s taken lightly.

“Mm… that’s a start,” I teased.