Flutter

Flutter: Sept (2/2)

The sound of a door slamming woke Nora from her deep slumber. She rolled over to her side. Through bleary eyes she saw a tall figure enter her bedroom.

"You do love to incite me, don't you?" 

"Whaa?" Nora said, her speech slurred, for she was not fully awake.

"Who, pray tell, allowed you to not attend dinner?" His deep voice chased away the peace. "It is expected that all those who reside here attend dinner and any other engagements. You're obstinacy is growing very wearisome."

Nora sat up, swung her legs over the side of her bed  and stood up to face Quinton.

"If you are going to be absent during dinner, you must come to me. Do not make Mary your messenger." He continued.

"Excuse me? I didn't want to eat dinner and I didn't think that I had to run to you like some child! You are not my father, or mother, or anyone close to me, so even for a second don't think that you can just push me around."

"You shall watch your tone when you speak to me." Quinton said menacingly.

"I won't watch anything. You're just angry because you're a control freak  and I'm not standing for it anymore. If I want to take a break after being out all day then that's what I'll do!" Nora snapped.

"'Out all day?' What do you mean by that?" Quinton's countenance changing from one of anger to confusion.

Nora debated whether she should tell him the truth, remembering Mary's trepidation. However, she was groggy, irritated and wanted to push his buttons.

"I took the kids out today to the town. We had a marvelous day and I was having a marvelous night until you came bursting in!"

"You left the premises without consulting me first?" Quinton seethed.

"I don't need to give a rundown of everything I'm doing! Do you want me to tell you when I use the bathroom too?" Nora spat out.

"You are testing my limits and I won't stand for it anymore. You are never, never, to leave this estate if you do not ask beforehand, do you understand me?" He said quietly. Nora began to feel uneasy, for the dark of his irises began to spread to the whites of his eyes.

"You can't treat me like this. I have rights -" She said, despite her worry.

"The rights you have are the rights I give you!" He barked at her - literally. He began to move forward as he spoke, making Nora trip over her own feet as she tried to get away from him.

"You should be grateful. You are fed, clothed and all I ask in return is for your cooperation, yet you continue to be problematic. I can make you obey me. Do not test my limits." He stared down at her, his eyes completely black now. The back of Nora's knees were against her bed now and she trembled in fear, knowing full well that he could make good on his word.

"There are many enemies amongst our kind and they would love to grab at a beta's mate-especially if they weren't able to defend themselves. Now were you not my mate, I would not care for a thing you do, but you shall not endanger my chances at having a son." He said through gritted teeth.

"Now, tomorrow the doctors are coming to assess you. Perhaps they can find a cure for your insolence." He sneered.

"I am not insolent! I'm sorry I don't take kindly to being insulted." Nora said, her voice raised.

Quinton's hand came up immediately. He gripped Nora's face in his hand and started her down. Nora raised her hands and pushed against his frame, but that was in vain, for standing over six feet, Quinton didn't even sway. He wrapped his free arm around the thrashing Nora and pulled her closer to him.