Crimson's Daughter

Chapter XVII: Blood Gown

 "What is the meaning of this?" Leo asked after we were back inside and alone.

"You're really about to ask me what happened after we haven't talked in days? I handled the situation and its over." I said stiffly from inside the bathroom.

Odd twigs were sticking out of my hair and mud had been smeared all over my face. I quickly slipped on a t-shirt and some pants that would need washing later. I was not going to bother attempting to look nice in front of Leo when I was somewhat mad at him. The door opened and Leo sat on the bed with a indifferent look on his face. As if he wasn't sure what to say towards my obvious irritation towards him. 

"No answer? Funny how you can answer everyone else but the one person your 'mated' to." 

My strides took me away from him and towards the window to face out towards the rest of the pack. Children were playing outside on the playground and I saw Elijah, Zach, and Dani talking. I trained my ears to try and listen to their conversation.

"I am appalled at Layla's behavior. You would think that now we are nearly done with school she would start acting like an adult." Dani said.

"Are you that surprised though, honestly? Layla has always been this way with any girl that gets in the way of what she wants. Remember she took your date to prom away from you last year?" Zach rolled his eyes. 

Dani bit the inside of her cheek as I watched, trying to focus my ears to pay attention.

"Claire, are you listening to me?" a hand grabbed my shoulder and I spun around to see Leo with a sad look on his face.

"No. and I would appreciate if you just left me alone in my thoughts. You've done a good job doing that since we got back from our trip."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry is all you have to say? I'm starting to believe everything was an act from you back in Italy and that I was a fool to believe you. How wonderful to know I have no control of these feelings because of a mate bond." I huffed.

I tried to get past him but with his significant height I was trapped. My irritation was turning into anger by the second. No longer could I contain it nor ignore how I felt towards Leo. It scared me that I knew my feelings on my own accord liked Leo but the mate bond itself was amplified them much more. 

"Move Leo. I don't want to be around you." 

"No Claire. We are going to handle this right now."

I grabbed the bridge of my nose in annoyance.

"My feelings for you in Italy were not an act they were real. I would never do something like that to you ever Claire. I'm sorry that I haven't been able to talk to you since we've come back. Work has taken all my attention." he grabbed my hands, rubbing his thumb across the top of them. 

I didn't say anything, not trusting myself. Instead I looked at the ground. 

"I realize I can no longer just think of myself and my duties alone to the pack. I  have to think about you as well. I am sorry Claire. The mate bond may make you feel things stronger than you would if you were involved with a human, but that does not mean it is only reason I have fallen for you." 

My nose sniffled and I knew my eyes were watering from frustration and my heart wanting to accept his words as the truth. 

"Please look at me."  He said softly and I took my hands away from his to wipe my eyes, turning my back to him. 

It was stupid for me to be reacting like this. Months ago I hated his guts and now I care too much for him. It was selfish of me to think I could have him to myself when he had duties to attend to for the pack. Eventually one day I would have duties as Luna too. Maybe it was possible that the stress of being thrust into this world and a mate bond to deal with was getting to me.