I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.

Marilyn Monroe

°°°°°

Isabella

I'm reprimanding myself the moment he left me alone. I felt like my heart was being crushed by a heavy rock like someone was squeezing my lungs stopping me from breathing. It hurt to hear him treat me like I was nobody. His words—they hurt me but I couldn't help but feel turned on by them.

I agreed to his terms because I knew he did it to punish me for leaving him. He doesn't know the truth and I don't ever know if he will ever believe me even if I told him. The look in his eyes—I know he still feels something towards me. If not emotional than physical. That must mean something. Someone you hate so much, you can't have that look in your eyes.

Or maybe I'm just desperate now to find some form of escape.

Or maybe I am just going delusional with hope.

I don't like being caged. I don't like being strapped down. I needed to move. I paced the floor. His words repeating over in my head like a broken record. He will return. It was a promise. I don't know how I really feel about this.

I sighed and plopped down on the sofa. Covering my face with my hands I allowed a good memory to flow through my mind.

The sun was shining brightly in the sky. The grass was so green it distinguished against the blue sky. A warm summer breeze blew by. The landscape looked like a brightly painted scenery.

I stood in the middle of the field looking for Malcolm. I have been living with him for several months now. Ever since he found me, he has been stuck to my side.

Today, after our training he had invited me out for a walk. I told him I needed to shower and change and I will meet him outside.

Now standing on a slanted valley, I surveyed the area for any signs of him. He was nowhere to be found. My white sundress flapped in the wind. I used my hands to hold it down and walked further down the valley.

"Malcolm!" I shouted. I was pretty sure I told him I'll meet him here.

"Malcolm!" I shouted again.

Nothing answered me except the echo of the summer wind. I sighed and decided to walk all the way down the valley and up the hill. When I reached the grove in the valley, I felt him behind me.

I whipped around and slammed straight into his chest. He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He looked so handsome with his dark curly hair falling over his forehead. His piercing blue eyes staring down at me with amusement. I can never get over how handsome he looks.

"Gotcha!" He growled and leaned in to plant a kiss on my forehead. I pushed against his chest. I was infuriated with him. He was always playing tricks and making me wait.

I stomped up the hill. I can hear him following behind me.

"Isabella."

Nope. Not looking back.

"Iz."

Nah uh.

"Izzy." He strung my name out.

Nope. Still not looking.

I made it up the valley and was walking towards the woods where he and I liked to hang out. I heard him huffing in frustration.

"C'mon, Isabella. Don't be like that. I was just teasing you."

I turned around and zipped my lips with my fingers, throwing away the key. He pretends to catch it with a sly grin. I rolled my eyes and turned my back to him.

"C'mon, Isabella. Talk to me. I don't like your silent treatments."

I wanted to giggle.

No, he doesn't.

The last time I lasted a whole week without talking to him. He went nuts. Did everything to make me happy. He picked wildflowers for me. He brought me cookies. He gave me the answers to some questions during our learning sessions. He sat outside my bedroom door. I still didn't give in. He did do something horrible.

He went out with some friends and didn't even bother inviting me or talking to me. He came back late at night and I saw him with another female lycan, laughing and chatting. I couldn't help becoming extremely jealous. I liked him a lot.

I finally gave in after he cried and said he was sorry. I couldn't say no to him. Those crocodile tears were huge. It broke my heart.

He was still following me from behind, muttering for me to answer him. I still didn't answer him as I marched into the woods. When I got to the little stream him and I like to hang out. I sat down on the large rock. He walked over and knelt next to me.

"What do I have to do for you to talk to me?"

I arched an eyebrow and crossed my arms. It was getting really hard to fight off a smile. He had a panic look on his face. He placed his hands on my knees.

"Bella, talk to me!" He said firmly. I can hear how frustrated he sound.

I shook my head and turned towards the stream. It was a small stream that reached up to my waist.

"if you don't talk to me, I'll throw you in the stream." He threatened and I turned to give a fiercer glare. He better not. I'll kick his ass.

He winced, "Ok, not a good idea."

Definitely not!

"I'm sorry, Bella. I am sorry for making you wait. I am sorry for scaring you. I didn't mean to. You know I will never hurt you." He said and his face turned into one of those puppy dog looks.

How am I going to deny him that if he keeps giving me those eyes!

I rolled my eyes, "You're sorry?"

He grinned, "Yes."

My smile peeked out, "Fine but you will have to make it up to me."

He nodded eagerly, "Anything."

"Anything?" I asked.

He nodded again. I pointed to beehive several yards away from us. He looked at it and his widened before he turned to look at me.

"You aren't serious."

"Do you want me to forgive you?" I asked, feeling slightly evil.

He nodded and stood up. I watch him walk over to the tree and climbed the tree. When he reached the beehive, he made a move to grab it but ended up knocking it down. The bees burst into the air, ready to attack. He shouted and jumped down from the tree. He ran my way.

"Malcolm! Hurry!" I panicked and ran towards him. He shook his head immediately when he saw me coming. He was slapping bees away from him.

"Go into the stream!"

"No!" I shouted.

"Damn it, Bella. Do as I say!"

I shook my head stubbornly and a bee bit my neck. I yelped at the sting and felt strong arms wrapped around me before dashing into the water. Cold water hit me like a rock in the face.

"Take a deep breath!" He ordered. I inhaled and he dove into the water. He still had his arms wrapped around me tightly as we swam away from the attacking bees.

When we were far enough, he pulled me up, I sputtered like crazy. He wrapped his arms around my waist tightly before lifting us both out of the water. He sat me down on the rock and looked me over.

He had several red inflamed areas on his arms and neck. He moved my wet hair aside to look at my neck. His eyes darkening upon seeing the red swelling.

"Damn it! Next time, do as I say! I don't need you getting hurt!" He growled angrily. His lycan's eyes flashed at me. I looked down at my feet. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have made him go for the beehive.

He swore in Gaelic and shoved a hand in his wet curly hair, slicking it back to reveal his hardened golden eyes. He was upset. Very upset.

"Malcolm, I'm okay!" I tried easing his anger.

"You were stung!" His eyes flashed with fury.

I sighed, "Stop! It will heal! Plus, you were stung more than I was!"

He stood up and began pacing. I moved to stand in front of him. My hands cupping his cheek which was kind of hilarious because he was extremely tall. He placed his hands at my waist and sighed. His eyes closed tightly.

"I'm alright, Malcolm. I'm here. I'm talking. See?" I pinched his cheek to prove him I was alive.

He growled and his eyes opened before he playfully nipped at my hand. I squealed and pulled away but he grabbed a hold of my waist and pulled me back to his chest, burying his face in the crook of my neck.

"You never listen." He grumbled.

He was holding me so intimately and when I tried moving my nipples touched his wet chest. I gasped and looked down to see that my white sundress was completely soaked and he could see everything.

I squeaked and pushed against his chest. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I pushed harder and faster against his chest. I moved to cover my body with my hands the minute he let me go. His eyes finally roaming up and down my body ever so slowly. When his eyes met mine, there was a hunger in them that stirred an ache between my legs.

"Stop! Turn away!" I ordered.

He huffed and turned his back to me.

"Take off your shirt!" I ordered.

"What why?"

"Just do as I say!" I snapped.

He started taking off his shirt when I heard rustling in the bushes. I jumped and ran to Malcolm's side. Using his body to cover mine. He turned towards the noise and shielded me protectively.

Damon emerged from the bushes eating an apple.

"There you two are." He grinned.

I peeked over my shoulders but was rudely shoved back by Malcolm. He took off his shirt and handed it to me over his shoulder. I took it and slipped it over my head.

When I was decent, I stepped around to meet Damon.

"Huh...you two are wet. What? Did you two take a swim without wearing proper clothes?" He asked, confused.

He had always been there for me. Protected me even when I was being ridiculous and childish.

I felt my heart twisted painfully inside of me. I have so many good memories here. I know he hates me and wants to punish me but I yearn to be back in his arms again. I couldn't help it. My heart has always belonged to him. No one else had it but him. If me giving in, makes me a spineless female then so be it. I will take what he was willing to give me. Who knows, I might not live to see tomorrow. 

A/N:

A glimpse as to why she agreed upon giving him what he wants. What was going behind her mind when he told what he had decided to do as her punishment.

So, really, how is the pace so far in the book? Too slow? We are only on chapter 6 only. 😂

Leila Vy