“But dad, please...,” I plead, tugging at him, needing him to listen to me but he brushes me off, not understanding what’s going on and I feel defeated when I walk out of the office. An ache assaults my heart when I realize that Nate probably counted on this. He counted on the possibility of me rejecting him and he didn’t want to make our relationship known because that would’ve given me credibility. Now, I just look like a spoiled girl who’s had enough of trying to look after a guest.
Nate’s several steps ahead of me.Bastard.
Holding onto the banister, I’m about to walk up the staircase when I sense a looming presence behind me. Gasping, I twirl around and lock eyes with a predator. “N...Nate,” I stutter, holding down a whimper when my traitorous heart blooms for him. I can’t help it. The heart wants what the heart wants but I can’t let it win.
If I let my heart win it’ll follow Nate to a dark place.
“I’m so happy you’re here. I was looking all over for you,” I breathe and he smirks as if pleased but then the smirk dies as if he knows I’m lying and I squirm. “I was. I swear it.”
“That’s a coincidence.” He tilts his head to the side. “Considering I was looking for you.” His eyes roam down my body. “Your brother and I are going hunting and I want you to join us.”
Licking my lips, I whisper. “It’s not hunting season.”
Nate’s eyes flash and he leans forward, his lips brushing my ear. “It’s always hunting season, my love,” he whispers and I shiver. Nate straightens when he hears Bryce coming and he rasps, “Look Bryce, your dear sister wants in on the fun. I think she’s a little envious of all the time you spend with me.”
Shaking my head, I glance at Bryce. “Actually, I changed my mind. I’m fine like this. You guys go without me.”
Letting out a slow chuckle that makes the fuzz on my nape stand, Nate murmurs, “But Amabella, aren’t you worried? Anything could happen out there.” His gaze darkens with bloodthirst. “Sometimes, if you’re not careful it can be easy to mistake a human for an animal...”
I freeze at the threat, glancing at Bryce and Nate’s eyes bore into mine and I whisper. “Yes, I’m w...worried.” Knowing I have no other choice, I go along, putting on my coat while they take out the rifles. Nate gives me a smile that makes me shudder and I wrap my arms around me, shivering when the cold bites my face. Bryce isn’t happy I’m trotting along and he walks ahead of us. I want to shake him because how can he be so blind?
Flinching when Nate touches my hand with his, I look up and he seems exasperated as if my jumpiness is getting on his nerves. “What’s the matter?” he rasps in a low voice. “What have I done for you to reject me like this?”
He sounds so saddened, so abandoned and I feel a contraction in my chest. “I’m not rejecting you,” I whisper.
“You kept me out last night.”
“Because I needed to be alone.”
“Why? You never needed to be alone before. You used to be on your knees, begging for my company.” He smiles fondly and I flood with chagrin.
“Things have changed,” I whisper.
“Not for me,” he adds and I gasp. “I still feel the same, I still want you and I’m going to have you, Amabella. You must understand I can’t be denied. Not your lips, your body or your heart”
Panting, I barely dare to look at him. “Don’t I get a say in this?”
“Of course you get a say. I’m not a monster.” His teeth flash white. “You get to say yes.”
“You can’t make me do anything.” I shake my head, praying he’ll see reason. “I think its best if we spend time apart during the rest of your stay.” There’s two weeks left. Two more weeks and then it will all be over.
Stopping in the middle of the track, Nate turns to me with a pained expression before it twists into pure cruelty and I start panting. The forest spins and now I know how prey must feel when hunted.
“I don’t think you realize the gravity of this situation,” Nate slithers with a ruthless grin. “Or the consequences your actions have.” With dark determination in his eyes, he raises the rifle, pointing straight at Bryce’s back. “Is this what you want, Amabella?”
I choke on a scream, lunging and push the rifle to the side in the nick of time and the bullet hits a tree. I’m too terrified to scream, my breath rattling in my chest and Bryce turns around.
“What was that?”
“I’m afraid your sister has a bleeding heart,” Nathanos calmly yells back. “She felt sorry for the deer I was about to shoot and pushed me.”
“That’s dangerous, Amabella,” Bryce growls. “You could’ve hurt Nate with your animal rights bullshit.” He glowers before turning around again. “Go back home.”
Trembling, I look up at Nate, and he gets a dreamy and distant expression in his eyes.
“Animal rights,” he purrs and a muscle ticks in his jaw. “I do like the sound of that.” His eyes flash dark. “Now where’s my right, my sweet?” With a snarl, he swipes at me and pushes me up against a tree trunk. His mouth comes down on mine and the hunger...
The hunger pacifies me.