a P

I was his lowly subject. His

dn't

. I didn't want to be a doll he c

ushed the door open, his tall frame unfol

allowing me whole. "Kira, I don'

you doing here? Shouldn't your mistress be waitin

opportunity to do so."His tone left no room for ar

or open and got in. I knew

s heavy as a shroud. I watched the streetlights streak past th

n't take me to his apartment. He parked

r felt small and suffocating. His scent of cedar filled the air,

ain what had just happ

s dark in the dim light. "Kira, we n

about?It seems he wasn't actually interested in my explanation

one. The red glow of the flame illuminated his handso

re trouble for Cora," he said. H

an accident!" I raised my voice, m

sh from the tip of his cigarette. His tone was flat, almost crue

k. I knew it

nd deliberate, like a cold, solemn ritual, "am requesti

k. A buzzing soun

usand times, hearing the words from his own

f howling, raging against

be complete." I heard my own voice, trembling but fir

expected me to refuse so directly. He crushed

e said, his tone stiff. "We were neve

ou didn't say that when you performed The Marking. You

istake," he r

ed back from your trip abroad to be with your lover, and no

t he didn't deny it either. His silen

't come back for Pack business. Not for o

thought formed in my mind. The more you want to g

uld muster. "I will not accept. As long as I don't agree, I am the one and only

se... something I couldn't read. He started the car

an's hands gripped the steering wheel, the veins on th

r making a sharp U-turn and s

me against the door. I grabb

I asked, my voice trembli