Tasting 69

69–Demanding That Take It Off

17

earlier?” he asked, his foot tapping anxiously now.

“I wear this ring–” I began, lifting my finger, but seeing his narrowed gaze, I quickly withdrew my

hand behind my back.

“Hmm!” he nodded, “take it off.”

His command left me utterly shocked.

“Huh?” I attempted an awkward smile, trying to steady my breathing.

“I said, take it off,” he repeated, rising from his chair and walking over to a nearby side table to pour

himself a glass of wine.

“But she’ll cause me pain,” I persisted with that excuse, but he remained unmoved.

“Nora! I won’t ask again. Take it off,” he demanded, sending my heart racing in my chest. I was

anxiously looking around as I could find an answer in the air or on the walls. Except there were only

n*ked she- wolves on the walls.

“If your wolf is so weak, why did you unleash her when you needed help to find Natalya?” he

stunned me with his observation.

“Um—I told you, she can track scents and all, but, see, I didn’t transition to run faster,” I stammered,

his intense gaze making me feel

queasy.

I wished I could vanish, never to wake up, so I wouldn’t have to meet his eyes or answer his

inquiries.

“Do you think I would lie if she wasn’t sick? Don’t you think I’d seek her help to fend off my bullies?”

I questioned when I couldn’t conjure up another excuse.

69–Demanding That Take in Off

Take Of

“Because you wanted my dad to sympathize with you, and he did,” his assertion made me look

down, closing my eyes briefly.

He wasn’t listening to me at all.

“I know why you’re so angry,” I hated resorting to this secret as a distraction tactic.

“And that would be?” he inquired, setting his glass aside and advancing toward me. As he

approached, I began to retreat.

“Because you’re upset that you felt the mate bond with me,” I finished, expecting him to gasp

dramatically, grow angry, or perhaps even deny it and halt in his tracks. But he did none of that. In

fact, he continued advancing until my back was against the wall.

“Really?” he uttered, his breath brushing over my face.

“Why would I be angry? I’m getting a pussy to f*ck, why would it anger me?” his tone and choice of

words caused me to involuntarily gasp in disappointment.

I wished he had become upset rather than saying that.

“Now, take it off and show me your wolf,” he demanded, his eyes. locking onto mine as he leaned

over, placing his hand against the wall.

“You know–” I paused, needing to steady my breaths, “Ryker is much kinder than you. When he

found out about the wolf, he didn’t just talk. about how he’s going to f*ck me.”

I don’t know what came over me or why I said that, but suddenly Cain’s expression hardened, and

he straightened his back.

“Ryker knows about your wolf?” he hissed. It was then that I realized I had made a big mistake.

69 Demanding

His breathing became erratic and his glares intensified in my face as he narrowed his eyes at me.