Afraid and vulnerable

No One’s POV

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“Get ready. There is a surprise for you.”, Zayden said when she finally opened her eyes after resting for a few hours. Grace checked the time and then looked outside. It was already 7:16 PM. She already guessed that whatever was Zayden’s surprise. It surely includes dinner. There was a dress for her. So, without saying anything she picked up the dress and walked into the washroom.

‘She needs some time.’, Zayden chanted this mantra in his mind to control his anger. He hated being ignored by her but then, whatever he did yesterday was unforgivable. ‘I will hate myself forever for forcing you to marry me.’

***

He opened the door for her and Grace got in. When Zayden started to fasten her seat belt, she interrupted him.

“I..I can do it”, She said in a low tone.

“I Know. But I want to “, He said and continued to fasten the belt for her. He bent forward to buckle it, intentionally coming close to her, to which Grace turned her face to avoid the close proximity.

“I love it when you blush, sweetheart.”, Zayden said.

‘It’s not called blush, you monster, it’s called irritation.’, Grace thought. Zayden then closed the door and started approaching the driver’s side. It was then when Grace noticed him. He was wearing a pitch-black suit and his hair was nicely made, unlike his usual ruffled one. It was as if he was going to attend a business meeting. He looked more...manly. She averted her gaze in embarrassment for checking him out.

“Do you have any boyfriend in your life, sweetheart?”

“Wh.what?”, Grace asked, getting stunned. For her, it was a ridiculous question. But then she decided to answer it because he had the right to know about her past.

“I asked, were you or are you in a relationship with anyone?”, Zayden again asked patiently. He had to clear his doubt before coming directly to the conclusion.

Grace shook her head before replying to him. “No.”

Zayden didn’t sense any lies from her. “I hope it is true. Because, if I find out anything else then, I swear, sweetheart, he will not live another day.”, He said, giving her a few second glances. Grace stared at him in anger. She wanted to shout at him. Who did he think he is? But she couldn’t shout at him. “I am sorry for that question if it offended you. It was just that I misunderstood bug bites on your neck as something else.”

After knowing the reason behind his question, Grace’s anger quickly replaced with the feeling of fear. Guilt.

Fear, because those marks were connected with the biggest nightmare of her life.

Fear, because she had no idea how Zayden would react after knowing the truth.

And guilt that she misunderstood his intention.

Apart from her wanted him to tell the truth but the other part was scared of the thought of being killed by him because she had no idea whether he would trust her or not.

At last, she promised to hide it from him because she wanted to live.

So, she did nothing but nod.

“I know. I am a bit difficult. I keep threatening you and ordering you around. I am….sorry about it, sweetheart. But, I can’t help it.”, Zayden confessed. Grace raised her brow in shock but received it quickly. It was the first time that he was apologizing to her and his words felt so real as if he would have felt how it feels when someone keeps ordering you!

Realizing her silence, Zayden sighed, and thought to change the topic, after all, he was taking on a candlelight dinner with his newly wedded wife.

“So, are you interested in knowing more about werewolves?”, He asked.

“...No”, She replied, playing with her fingers. He was getting irritated with her one-word answers.

“You can talk to me, sweetheart...in sentences.”, Grace again just nodded, not knowing what to say next.

Zayden saw a bunch of dogs. Suddenly, he remembered their first meeting.

“Do you know where I first saw you, sweetheart?”, He asked happily.

“Yes.”

“Really?”, He challenged. Of course, he knew, she had no idea about that.

“Yes.”

“Well, care to elaborate.”

“When you and Eric visited the restaurant to have food.”, She replied and recalled the worst day of her life.

“That’s the wrong answer, sweetheart.”, Grace narrowed her eyes in confusion. “I saw you playing with dogs outside your restaurant and I swear, I had never seen such a beautiful woman in my life…”

‘Beautiful? Like Really? I am sure he is blind or insane.’ She thought.

“....it was the first time I had smiled, without any reason. Well! There was a reason...you. And that day, not just me, even my wolf was happy to see you. That reason is still unknown to me till now.”

‘His wolf? It means that monster?’, She thought.

“....that day, I promised myself, to never let you go.”, He said.

What?

She was shocked...beyond shocked. Zayden saw her shocked expression.

“No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to forget you. At night I wish you were beside me, and in the morning, I crave to see you. It is like...you are driving me crazy. This is why I want you to do whatever I want, and if you resist, I don’t resist, I won’t think twice before forcing you. Because sweetheart, I can’t afford to lose you. Maybe, you will understand why I am like this. Maybe, someday...you will love me like I do.”, He said the last few words in a low tone.

‘There won’t be any such day!’, Grace thought and looked at him. It seemed like he was in deep thought.

‘Wow! Even a monster like him also dreams.’, She mocked. Little did she know that he was recalling every bitter moment of his past.

‘What if Wyatt finds out about her. Well, I am sure he might have known about her till now. I have to keep her safe and sound. I can’t let anyone hurt my sweetheart.’, He thought and looked at her with concern. He saw her feeling sleepy and he had to admit that she looked so cute.

“Sleepy?”, He asked. Her heart accelerated with fear. Why did he have such an effect on her? He made her afraid and vulnerable.

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#TBC