Chap-10*He Is So Huge!*
Cynthia Dion:
He turned around and fixed a stern gaze upon my face.
"Do you want them to attack you?" he hissed, his sharp jaw clenched as he restrained himself.
"What makes you think I am safer with you?" I retorted, resisting the urge to cry or whisper, unlike every other time.
"Cynthia, follow me to my car," he instructed, his eyes closing briefly as he repeated the request.
"I can go home by myself," I muttered, attempting to walk past him. However, he positioned himself in my way, blocking my path.
"I can see that. They will still be waiting, hiding behind walls to catch you somehow. So, don’t make a scene, and follow me," he grunted, a noticeable air of annoyance around him. With his words framed that way, I found myself with no option but to trail him to his Bugatti.
No matter how angry I felt towards him, I remained a miserable omega who had to do whatever it took to stay safe. If not for myself, then for my sister.
He left the passenger side door open for me and settled into the driver's seat. I took my time before getting into the car, letting his scent fill my nostrils.
Closing the door intensified his presence. His hand rested on the steering wheel, and his gaze remained fixed on the road even though he wasn't driving. It was my first time being this close to him in such a confined space.
As I sat in my seat, I couldn't help but notice the stark difference in size between us; he seemed almost like a giant in comparison. He idly stroked his lips while gazing out of the window at the road. One leg was bent upward, his elbow propped on it, while the other elbow rested on the window sill. It appeared he wasn't planning to start the car anytime soon, so I guessed he had something to say.
"Happy Belated Birthday," he whispered, his tone now distinct from before.
I clenched my teeth, memories of his previous behavior flooding back. The way he had looked at me with such disgust when he rejected me, as though he felt no remorse. He had merely wanted to rid himself of me so everyone would know the alpha wasn't going to be mated to a mere omega rogue.
"Who was that man, and why was he speaking so boldly?" he abruptly changed the subject again, sensing my reluctance to respond.
"You rejected me. You forfeited any right to ask me anything," I retorted, subtly shifting my body away in the seat as he extended his arm behind me. I made it clear that I didn't want even the accidental brush of his hand against my skin.
"You haven't addressed my question," he said, his eyebrow furrowing in a determined gesture, his head tilting slightly once more. He appeared hesitant, but I felt compelled to answer him, hoping he might explain why he had listened to Rosalie.
"He's a friend of my dad's. Now, explain why you went through all of that. Don't you realize how tough school already is for me? This single action is going to make me even more of a target for everyone. Why did you text me to meet you at the lockers if you had no intention of talking to me? If you were planning to make out with your ---- friend," I clenched my jaw, abruptly turning my face away as my breathing grew rapid. Before, I had convinced myself that Rosalie had been the one who texted me, but now I knew the truth--that it was him all along.
"Does your dad have any idea that his friend harasses you whenever he gets the chance?" Once again, he chose to disregard my words and continued to speak like the Alpha he was. He seemed to want me to believe that he cared.
"Who was that man--the older one you left with after exiting Enzo’s mansion?" He tilted his head to the opposite side, veiling his emotions from me, yet the tension in his jaw betrayed his unease regarding Mr. Holt.
"I told you, he's my mate," I lied once more, watching him take a deep breath and turn to face me.
"He's not your mate. Quit lying! He's a freaking 29-year-old man. Why in the world did you say those things?" His anger was escalating with each passing minute. I was taken aback. It seemed he had forgotten that he'd lost the right to interrogate me.
"You are no longer my mate, so you have no grounds to question me," I retorted, struggling to catch my breath.
"How about we approach him in the morning and ask him to formally accept you?" he proposed, a smile emerging as I lowered my head.
"He's not your mate, so stop being seen with him," he cautioned, "and don't give me the excuse that we're not mates anymore. You haven't rejected me yet, and if you were to do so, I might have to reconsider options for your sister's education." His threat left me slack-jawed.
"I'm not threatening you. I'm advising you to steer clear of these older men. I can't fathom what you find appealing about them." He forcefully struck the steering wheel, shaking his head in disapproval.
"It's best that I head home now," I declared, recognizing that our conversation was unlikely to take a positive turn.
"I'll give you a ride," he offered, forestalling any objections as he inserted the keys into the ignition. The car ride that followed was uncomfortably silent. Though it was only a matter of minutes, it felt like hours. He dropped me off without uttering another word and drove away.
After his rejection, I hadn't anticipated any solace from his end. Nevertheless, a small measure of relief settled in. The unique nature of my birthday became evident the instant I stepped inside the house.
"Welcome back, dear," Dad greeted, a stern expression on his face and a belt in his hand as a 'gift.' My heart sank in my chest when watching him with that belt. He would not hesitate using it on me.
I wished I hadn't left the house for Mara. She was meant to meet me. Yet here I was, confronted by my infuriated father, belt in hand.