Rite of Submission - Rite 1

35: When Worlds Collide

                Somehow we'd survived our first date, meeting each other's friends and spending time together that didn't involve either of us being naked. It was as easy as breathing to get along with him when we were both on the same page and he wasn't trying to with hold information from me. Our problems were centered on the fact that he had memories that I did not, throwing any kind of relationship we could have off balance. He was already too invested when I didn't know if I even liked him in the way he wanted me to. His need to dominate and control everything didn't help.

He'd grown quiet once we left the VIP area behind and now I felt him getting distant on the ride back to the pack house. Even though I had my arms wrapped tightly around his waist with my chest and cheek pressed against his back as we raced through the dark empty streets, it felt like he was somewhere far away.

"You're doing it again," I muttered under my breath as I climb off the back of the bike, knowing that he could still hear me.

"I don't know what you're talking about," his face was the usual emotionless mask that he usual kept in place.

"Yes you do," I grumbled, making my way through the garage away from him as he moved the bike into its proper place and hung the keys on their hook. "Maybe I should stay in Sophie's room tonight," I yanked the door open and began making my way through the house. Now that I had memorized a few things to use as markers, I could find my way to almost anywhere I wanted to go, without help.

Of course he caught up to me before I could reach my sanctuary, his hand circled my wrist and stopped me just a few feet away from the door. I could always scream or yell, but it wasn't Sophie's fault that he was an asshole, and it wasn't fair to put her in the middle of us. "It's late and I'm tired Dmitri," I balled my hands up into fists.

"And you know where to find our bed," his voice was low and deadly calm, sending a shiver down my spine.

This time I did try to wrench my wrist free. "I agreed to pretend to be yours while we were in mixed company. I did not agree to actually be yours," I hissed back at him, keeping my own voice low.

"But you did agree to spend your nights with me for as long as I remain faithful to you," he reminded me.

"You know what? I don't want to do this anymore," I took a step towards Sophie's doors, stopping when moved to block my path. I closed my eyes long enough to take a deep breath before trying to reason with him. "Tell me why?" I looked him in the eye, "Tell me why you closed yourself off from me as soon as we stepped out of that building, and I will march directly to your bed. Otherwise I'll make any other time you thought I was being difficult look like a cake walk.

He stared me down, his lips pressed into a tight line. I folded my arms over my chest and tapped my foot, I'd wait all damn night if I had too, but I was not going to be alone with him again until I had my answer. He moved his face an inch away from mine. "Outside of these walls there are more laws and traditions that help keep hold me accountable," he ground out through clenched teeth, straining to keep from touching me still, "There's nothing here that stops me from losing control of myself and eventually I won't be able to stop myself anymore!"

I didn't really understand what he meant, but at least he'd given me an answer. I let out the breath I didn't realize I'd been holding in and made my way into his suite. I did not stop until I was standing by the bed. He followed so closely behind me that I almost collided into his chest when I turned back around to face him.

"Just for the record, dates that go well are supposed to end in a kiss goodnight," I was tired of letting him make me feel like prey all the time. Faster than I thought I could move, I pushed myself up on my toes and balled my fist in his shirt. Pulling him towards me as I leaned in, I closed the distance between us, and nipped his lower lip.