Page 45 of Come for Me
Home. Taya. Jemma. Mom. Me.
Jemma always said the right guy would wait until I was ready. Dax doesn’t wait. He took my choice away from me. He wanted to punish me; it was my turn to punish him.
So, he could wait forever for my answer, but it would never come.
“I hate you.” I pull out of his grasp, my hands balling to fists at my sides.
His brow furrows at my declaration, expression screaming anger. If it weren’t for thisgiftto experience his every emotion, I would’ve thought the look on his face was merely anger for rejecting him, but the hurt I’m enduring says otherwise.
He marked me without my permission. It issolike a king to assume I’d melt into his arms and accept him.
He’s aking,and he wantsus—bite him!Don’t act like “rich and handsome” aren’t your type.
Although I want to go for what my wolf is insisting, this was the Moon Goddess’s and Dax’s choice.
Notmine.
The Moon Goddess took my mother, took my chances to grow up with a family. Now I know why She has sent me Dax, to take away what I have left.
Fortunately for me, I still have one choice. With the mate bond growing stronger, I have to exercise my right to choosenowat its weakest.
I silently apologize to my wolf for what I’m about to do.
“I, Alaina Grove, reject—”
Dax squeezes life out of my throat, a stark difference between when he’s grabbed me before. Those times, I could breathe, but I’m clawing at him now as I gasp for air, trying to regain that same privilege.
His eyes are gold, jaw clenched, teeth bared, veins popping out of his head and neck.
Caleb’s eyes go wide, and though he tries to get to me, his injuries have taken too large a toll.
“Finish that sentence. I dare you.” Dax squeezes harder, and spots dot my vision.
His voice is spine-chilling yet soft when he leans into my ears and mutters, “Don’t break my heart, darling. You wouldn’t survive that punishment. Neither would anyone you love.”
My eyes go wide, and I think of Jemma.Would he kill the closest person I’ve got to family?The look on his face answers my own question.
He’ll not only do it. He’llenjoyit.
I’m struggling to remain conscious when he whispers, “I’ll never accept your rejection.Neversay that shit to me again. I’ll make you regret it.” He lets go of my neck, turning to the guards, and I gasp desperately. “Take Caleb to the infirmary.”
They each grab Caleb’s arms, and one guard throws him over his shoulder. Caleb grunts as they cart him out of the cell and up the stairs.
When I intend to follow, Dax seizes my arm, wrenching me back to him.
I stare at him with so much betrayal, hatred, confusion, and loss, while he stares at me with longing and what I decipher as concern.
He’s worried.Good. He should be.
He probably thinks I’m the kind of girl who would take him back after he’s screwed me over. He thinks I’d roll over, giving him what he wants.
Well, he’s about to learn even kings don’t get everything they want.
My lip curls in disgust when I glower at his hand curled around my arm. The rest of my body stays frozen, while my eyes shift from his hand to his pleading deep caramel eyes.
My eyes likely glow violet when he finally relents, drops my arm, and sighs. Rubbing the back of his neck with a look of defeat, he lets me follow Caleb.
* * *
