The Alpha's Domination(6)

“Life’s not fair. I will never harm you, Dawn. I’m your mate. I’ll take care of you, and I promise you everything that happens will be what you want.”

She looked at a point past his shoulder. Her lips opened then closed. He imagined her mind working on overdrive to get out of his suggestion. “I don’t want you telling my father anything. He doesn’t need to know where I spend my time.”

“Fine,” he said, hurt that she was embarrassed by the way she spent her time.

Her nails sank into the flesh of her thighs, he imagined causing a bite of pain. He didn’t like what she was doing. Going to his knees he took hold of her hands to stop her from causing herself more pain. She gasped at his touch, and he didn’t look away from her eyes. “What’s it going to be, Dawn? This can’t go on.”

“We’re mated?”

“Yes.”

She broke their gaze by looking at his hand holding her. “What do you need me to do?”

“I need you to trust me.”

“I’m not normal.”

“I’ve never said I wanted normal, pet. We’re going to get through this.”

He squeezed her hand in an attempt to reassure her. She let out a breath.

“Okay, I’ll come with you.”

Daniel wished there was more enthusiasm in her voice, but he’d take what she gave him right now. Mating was different for everyone. There were couples who were able to fight the impulse to mate, but that was usually down to the fact one of them were already in a relationship with someone else. In their case, his and Dawn’s, she’d been hurt in the past, and she didn’t trust the natural instinct to mate. When they did finally mate, there would be no way to deny each other. Once Dawn accepted him and he fucked and bit her, she’d be his, and their connection would be complete. He would understand everything that went on inside her head. If it wasn’t for Jake, he wouldn’t have known Dawn was the daughter of an alpha. His friend found out everything. It was one of the reasons it made him a good guard to have. Nothing ever got past him.

****

What are you doing?

Dawn stared at his hand where he held her palm inside his. Her dark flesh stood out in contrast to his pale skin, but their different skin colors didn’t bother her. No, what struck her was the way he held her. He was strong, powerful, and yet he held her as if she was delicate. She was anything but delicate. He didn’t hurt her, simply held her steady.

What was he trying to do?

“Look at me, Dawn.”

She lifted her gaze to his, confused by what was happening inside her. On the one hand she wanted to continue sinking her fingers into her flesh to try to cause pain, and yet, she wanted what Daniel gave her. Would he even understand what was happening to her?

“You’ve been disobedient to me today. Before we go to my house you’re going to get punished and then you’re going to call your father.”

When she went to speak, he pressed a finger to her lips to stop her. “No, you don’t get to speak right now. I won’t be leaving you alone. You’re going to take the call while I’m here to listen to what you’ve got to say. I’ll not have an angry father thinking I’ve stolen his daughter.”

She hadn’t even thought of starting a conflict between Daniel and her father. Dawn was many things, but a starter of fights wasn’t one of them. The thought of having one or two men fighting over her turned her stomach.

“I wouldn’t do that,” she said.

Dawn would accept any punishment Daniel felt he needed to dish out. She’d been pushing him for the last year, and he had a right to punish her.

You like his punishments.

She didn’t care what he used—hand, cane, whip, or paddle, she loved it all. Daniel was inventive with the restrictions she’d given him.

“You wouldn’t? Some women would do anything to create a war between two territories.”

“I’m not interested in starting anything, Master.” She bowed her head, showing her submissive side.

Side? You’ve not got a side. This is who you are.

The wolf inside her growled at the words she thought. Her wolf didn’t like to be insulted even though Dawn had a tendency to do so.

“Good. I believe you, Dawn. Now, do you believe me when I say you can trust me? I’ll never hurt you, and I’ll take care of you during your time with me.”

What should she say?

The truth?

Lies?

Half-truths?

She settled on the truth. Lies rarely got her what she wanted. “I trust that you won’t hurt me, but I don’t believe we’re mates. I-I-I can’t trust myself to make that decision right now.”