Among the Peonies

Apologies

Just a little late-night/early morning update. Enjoy:)

After a delicious meal of pizza and brownies, silence enveloped us. We both were waiting for the conversation about the marking to take place, but I would need to initiate it.

"Why'd you do it?" I blurted, shattering the fragile silence.

His eyes were intense, but held no singular emotion. He hid it well, whatever it was. "What?" he asked, nonchalantly.

I tapped the silver mark on my neck, and his jaw clenched tightly.

"You're my mate."

"That's not an answer."

"Of course it is. Now, do you want to go watch a movie or-"

"I want you to answer the question!"

"I did!"

I stood from the chair and backed away slowly, anger pooling in me. Why couldn't I hate him? Why couldn't I dislike him?

"Tell me what's going on!" He stood as well, anger evident in his black eyes.

"Babydoll, don't you walk away from me," he said, his voice calm and quiet.

I could feel the danger and warning radiating from him, and decided to take the advice, and stopped. I avoided eye contact, though.

"Now look at me."

I wouldn't.

"I said, look at me." His voice was still quiet, but there was that anger ready to break through.

"Look at me!" he yelled, and was across the room, pinning me to the wall in less than a second. In my shock and fright, my eyes snapped to his. They were angry and dark, but softened when our gazes met.

"You don't get to be mad at me!" I scolded, aware of my newfound confidence that would soon wear off as the adrenalin does. "You were the one who bit me! You were the one who kidnapped me! You were the one that ruined my life!"

His anger subsided and he sobered, desperately trying to pin up a cover so I wouldn't see that desperate, guilty, broken look in his eyes.

"Babydoll, I-"

"Don't call me that!"

He looked so hurt.

"What's wrong with me?! What did you do to me?!"

"What?" His eyes grew fierce with worry.

"I can't hate you," I looked down, fighting the tears.

"It's the mark," he sighed, "it kind of... seals our love."

"How could it seal something that wasn't there?!"

He slammed his hands next to my head and growled, nuzzling into my neck. I tried to push him off, but it was weak, considering I had to fight him and myself on the action. I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want to leave him. I wanted to love him. And that's why I had to leave. He did this to me!

"Annabel," he said with a quiet, barely-contained, tight voice, "I suggest you shut the fuck up right now." His body was shaking and every muscle went taut as he fought himself.

I kept quiet to ensure my safety.

He left a trail of kisses up my neck and along my jawline, making his way to my lips. I turned my head, not willing to kiss him. He growled and roughly turned my head back to face him. He held my face and kissed my lips, desperate and needy. After a few seconds, he growled frustratedly.