Bitter Vows (Crimson Falls 1)

Opal picks up a box that was sitting on a chair behind her and brings it to me. “This is for you. I think it will suit the dress.” She hands me the gift, a rectangular, merlot-colored box with a red ribbon. When I tug at the bow, it falls away easily, and I lift the lid to find a gold bracelet. When I lift it from the suede cushion, a small charm dangles, and I have to set the box down to get a better look.

“This is gorgeous,” I tell her, but my eyes are focused on the charm between my thumb and forefinger. A small, intricately designed wolf with a deep-set green eye, watching me. “This is…”

“Mr. Shaw said that I should give this to you, to wear on the wedding day,” Opal tells me. “He left it here with a note.” She points to the chair before looking at my shocked face. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes, sorry. I think I’m just overwhelmed.” I take a step back and slowly move toward the mirror, where I finally allow myself to look, to really look at the woman there. The one staring back at me with her cheeks flushed, her lips pouty, and her eyes sparkling with emotion.

The dress is perfect.

“This is it,” I tell myself, but Opal claps excitedly behind me. As much as I want to tell her to save me, to call my father and tell him what’s happened, I don’t. Instead, I smile. If Lycan wants arm candy, I can be that. If he wants someone who’ll run his businesses with him, I can even do that. But if he thinks for one moment he’s going to get me to change my name at the end of the month, he’s wrong, and I’ll show him that.

He may not have wanted me before we met, and he may only want this wedding to happen because of some archaic contract, but I’ll make him fall in love with me, and then I’ll run. I’ll escape into the darkness of the forest, and he won’t ever find me.

Four weeks until my birthday. It’s a long time to let someone in, to feel something for someone, and the moment I see the humanity in his gaze, I’ll be the one to strike. I’ll end him and this godforsaken agreement my father has allowed.

I’m not a toy.

I’m not a possession.

But I can play the part just as well as anyone.

19

Scarlett

By the time I’ve had a shower, and I’m sitting on my window seat, I’m exhausted. The dress I chose is perfect. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and I’m sure Lycan will agree. I catch myself sighing as I wonder why I’m even going ahead with this, even wondering what he’ll think. It’s not like me to give in, to submit to a man, especially after what he’s done to keep me here. But if I’m going to play into his game, get him to love me, and then end this farce, I need to make sure he trusts me, which is why I accepted his ring.

My bedroom door opens with a silent murmur against the plush carpets, and I’m met with one of the maids. Dressed in black and white, she looks to be about my age, or perhaps a few years older. She offers a small smile as she sets down a silver tray with a glass of red wine, along with a white envelope. My name is scrawled in elegant handwriting on the front.

“What’s this?”

“Mr. Shaw has requested you have some wine, and also, he’s left you a note.” Of course, he did. The young woman nods before she leaves me in the room, pulling the door closed behind her. I want to run after the girl and ask her more questions. But I focus on the note instead.

I pick up the envelope, slowly unfolding the flap to pull out the note my fiancé wrote. The immaculate script is beautiful, and I allow my gaze to rove over the perfectly formed letters.

Tonight, you’ll dine with me, and perhaps we can take this a step further.

L.

Direct and no-nonsense.

Just like the man himself.

I realize he’s someone who doesn’t like the word no, and he’s also someone who always gets what he wants. If I were to tell him I’m not hungry, or I’d rather eat alone, he’d march up here and lift me over his shoulder, kicking and screaming. And he’d enjoy it too. I’ll then be carried down to the dining room. So instead of fighting, I’ll follow his rules.

Padding over the carpet, I make my way to the closet to find something to wear. I have an inkling that this isn’t going to be a “burger and fries” type of dinner after last night, so I need to ensure I’m elegant, yet sexy. If I want the man to fall in love with me, I should appear to be ready to take the next step with him.