Chapter 46

~Christopher~

It had been a week and Grace had barely eaten anything other than what she needed to in order to survive. She looked pale and gaunt, sickly.

I had given her everything I thought she could have wanted.

Everything.

Except letting her go, which I guess is what has her spirits down so much.

I couldn’t let her go, not yet. I knew she was just testing me, why wouldn’t she want to be with me? I had everything she could want!

I mean after all, she never attempted to run away or escape, so she couldn’t hate me that much, could she?

I sighed, running my hands through my hair.

I knew that even if she wanted to run away, she couldn’t. The soul binding spell made it so we were attached in an unbreakable, magical bond, and she wouldn’t physically be able to leave my presence for too long.

It would make her feel even worse than she did, now. Maybe she knew that, that’s why she hadn’t tried to escape yet.

But why would she want to escape? What about me, about this place, didn’t she want?

I had everything I thought a woman like her would desire: status, looks, strength, power.

I hissed through my teeth, getting agitated.

But then why was she so unhappy?! I just couldn’t understand.

I started to feel anger swell up inside of me.

She was being ungrateful, she was being childish! She was just trying to disrespect me!

It wasn’t that I didn’t have what she wanted—I absolutely did. It’s that she didn’t want me specifically.

She was still attached to that arrogant prick, the Lycan King!

Grace was still showing her loyalty to him even in the face of everything she could ever want. I would get her the moon, if I could.

How dare she!

I stood up quickly, filled with a firm resolve. I had been trying my very hardest to please Grace, doing everything for her, and yet she never showed me even an ounce of respect or gratitude.

I growled under my breath.

That’s it. I’ve had enough. I would make her show me respect.

Pulling the collar of my denim jacket up around my neck, I went outside. It was dark, night had just fallen. The cool, crisp air of the evening did nothing to cool my temper.

I made my way over to her room, skipping the knocking as I burst through the door.

Grace jumped, and I felt some satisfaction at getting a response out of her. She hardly showed me any emotion, other than dull uninterest.

I stood tall and imposing over Grace, who sat on the bed, and quickly resumed her usual sorry state. Her shoulders hunched forward, and her hair fell over her face, obscuring her expression.

Even yesterday, my heart would have broken seeing her in this state, but I felt no pity for her, not anymore. This was all just an act, I knew it.

She didn’t actually feel as depressed and miserable as she made herself seem, she just wanted to rub it in my face that I wasn’t good enough for her! That I’d never be better than the Lycan King!

“You haven’t appreciated anything I’ve given you. You’re one hard-to-please woman,” I said, folding my arms over my chest. I heard the frustration slip into my tone.

Grace stayed silent as usual. I gritted my teeth, scowling, quickly losing my patience with her.

Whatever. She wouldn’t talk? We didn’t have to talk.

I slipped my fingers under the hem of my shirt as I took one last moment to stare her down. I knew she could feel my gaze on her, even if she wouldn’t look at me.

“I’m younger than your ex-husband and your fiancé. I have more energy and enthusiasm than any of the other men you’ve been with. I can show you the time of your life,” I growled, lifting my shirt slowly above my head.

I let it fall to the floor, showing Grace my chest in its full glory. I could see her face now, staring at me. Yes, now I’ve got her attention.

Tattoos swirled around my arms and down my chest, inky black on my pale, white complexion.

Scars decorated my skin, from all of the fights I got into, growing up as an orphan and fighting my way into being the Rogue King. I had lived a hard, jaded life, and I knew I had more guts than any other alpha out there.

If only Grace could see that.

Perhaps she saw it now, but this look she gave me… it seemed to be one of fear, or perhaps realization. Yes, Grace. Look at me and recognize that I was not just some pathetic excuse for a man.

I was a true alpha king, and I needed a strong Luna such as her for others to finally take me seriously!

I could tell by the look in her eyes that she saw me as someone powerful, now.

I closed the distance between us in two quick steps, and I leaned forward, pushing her back onto the bed.

She stared up at me with large, brown eyes. God, those beautiful eyes. You finally see me now, don’t you, Grace?

Leaning down next to her ear, I whisper, “I promise I can please you more better than any other man could.”

I felt her shiver, and I licked her ear. She trembled more, and I felt her hands push against my chest. They were cold on my bare skin.

I was overwhelmed by her scent. It was sweet and dark, intoxicating. I buried my nose in her neck, breathing in deeply.

Here it was, the supple, soft skin of her neck, so easy and ready for a new mark, now that her ex-husband, Liam’s mark had faded.

I slowly opened my mouth, and my teeth barely grazed her skin when I heard a small whimper come from Grace’s throat.

Slowly, I pulled back, taking a look at her face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and her eyes were squinted closed.

What was this reaction? Did she not find my forwardness attractive?

“Please, stop,” I heard her cry, so soft I had to strain to hear.

It was a pathetic plea. It was as if she had lost all energy and will to live, and this was her last effort.

Even though it was pathetic, it still broke my heart. I could tell she was being genuine about this, and I began to think… that I was wrong about her all along.

She never wanted me, and she never would. She truly hated it here, and I was just her captor, holding her here against her will.

Of course she didn’t like me, she just wanted to go home.

I sighed, and sat up, sitting next to her. I looked Grace over, who still cried softly next to me. She wouldn’t look at me.

God, what have I done?

I ran my hands over my face, feeling regret for making her feel so miserable. I just wanted to make her happy, and I was sure I was the right one to do it.

I guess I was wrong.