Power Without Strength {Discontinued/Rewritten}

20

Chapter 20

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I felt Daren's heated stare while I stood watching Mom pack. She was talking to me about the trip and all the family members I'll meet and love, but I was barely paying attention-my concentration on the ground avoiding Daren's hungry eyes. To avoid embarrassment, I concentrated hard on what she was talking about when we get to her mother's house.

"... and you'll probably be gobbled up by your Aunt Xola. She's absolutely ecstatic to meet you and loves to shop. There's also a boy there around your age, he's your... cousin I think. That or your uncle. He loves to play games and is pretty outgoing, you two should be fine." Then she turned to me and smiled. "Who knows, maybe he'll be your partner. Oh, that'd be so wonderful!" She squealed.

My entire body locked into place as I put on an unrealistic smile and laughed nervously. "Yeah, I guess."

As she continued to pack, I took a seat and began to daydream about what it'd be like to be around other family members. All my life, I've been around the same people constantly-my parents, my siblings, and my bullies. I just, never thought I would ever get the luxury of another family. What if they don't like me? What if they find out my secret and throw me out? What if-

"Zeera!" Mom yelled sternly. I looked up as her expression softened. "Come here, sweetheart."

I made my way over to her and she held me close as she talked. "You will be fine, everyone's going to love you just as much as I do. You have nothing to fear, ok mitamu?"

My heart warmed as I gave her a bashful smile and nodded. "Ok."

"Good. Now both of you go finish packing, Aren will be bringing the car around to see us off." She smiled, shooing us off.

Daren and I went walked to our room in a tense, heated silence. I tried not to think much of it, but I knew something was bound to happen once we were secluded.

Once the door closed, the entire atmosphere changed into something dangerous-predatory. My heart dropped with dread, but a tinge of excitement as I backed up into the wall. Daren's eyes began to glow crimson as he slowly locked me inside him with his arms.

"I don't appreciate you ignoring me today, Spices." He whispered seductively.

My heart drummed wildly now, my face heating at his lustful gaze and uneven breath. I tried to avert my gaze, unable to take it anymore, but he took my jaw in his hand and forced me to look back at him.

"Ah ah ah, those dark eyes are mine and you will let me look at them, understood?"

His eyes were blazing rubies shining in a beautifully dangerous desert, but his words held a threat like none other. Regardless of his playful, seductive nature, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of real fear in my heart for some reason. Though every thought, every fear vanished from my head as he kissed me roughly. His fingers tangled themselves all throughout my hair and body-my scarf long discarded somewhere.

My body was on fire and my uneven breaths were hard and fast, but there was still a little voice in the back of my mind to run. That Daren was dangerous. But... I knew he was dangerous. Isn't that why it's safe around him? He's very protective of me, so I shouldn't have to worry about anything.

He dragged me to his bed and started to pull up my shirt while kissing my neck. I tensed up, but maybe it's time I stop being so hesitant. He is my partner after all, I have to trust him. So, I tried to relax as his hand slid further up my shirt as my body tensed in and out of apprehension. Although as soon as he gripped one of my breasts, I jumped slightly and he froze.