Not Your Lap Dog |Reggie Mantle|

Chapter Sixteen

His voice echoed through the halls as he yelled my name. I knew he was mad and it was even worse that it was because of me. I didn't want to wear lace today. He'd been making me wear it for the last two weeks.

I'd only planned to be here for one night, but he'd threatened to tell my parents why I was here. I didn't have a choice. If they found out I'd been with the Serpents, he'd own me that much sooner.

When he left the house angry, I'd hoped he wouldn't come back. That obviously wasn't going to happen and I felt tears fall as I heard his footsteps approaching. I want to run so fucking bad. I may not be the fastest werewolf, but I might be able to get away.

I should have made my choice sooner as the door was thrown open. He stared at me, breathing heavily. I keep my mouth shut. Speaking would only make this worse.

His hand strikes my cheek and I let out a cry, holding where he'd struck. He grabs my arm and I pull away, which was a bad idea. He punches me in the stomach and flies backwards and crashes into a desk. It shatters underneath me and I feel it cut my arm. Why couldn't he have just used human strength? Even if it still hurt, it wouldn't be this bad. I feel the blood falling fast and I try to stop it with my other hand. I try to stand but my legs won't work.

I sit on the ground defeated and look at Hiram who smirks down at me. "Get yourself cleaned up. I expect you down for dinner in thirty minutes and this better be cleaned up before then," he says and leaves.

I begin to cry as I force myself to stand. There was nothing I could do. Hiram had convinced my father to start negotiating on a new deal. Double the money, but he gets me now. I heard them discussing it last night. I didn't have long before this would be my permanent life.

I slowly walk to the bathroom and lock the door behind me. I resist the urge to hit something as I move to turn the shower on. I stare in the mirror and let out another sob at the sight. The slam was just another mark he'd left. I slowly pull my shirt off and look at the other scars and bruises. Most of my wounds have healed, but there will still be faint scars for a few more weeks. I'm covered in cuts and bites. He may not be able to fuck me just yet, but he's done far worse to me. I'm in hell.

I slowly step into the shower and the water feels nice. I watch the water turn red, washing the blood off my arm. Everything hurts so fucking bad right now. I'm barely able to keep myself standing. I want to leave, but there's only one option that will free me from this.

I don't take too long in the shower, knowing I didn't have a lot of time left. I wrap a towel around my waist and bandage the new injury on my arm. I stare at my reflection and scream. I can't help it. I'm in so much pain right now. That's all I can do to get it out. I could throw myself down the stairs, but that probably wouldn't work out. I hear his footsteps approaching and let out a sob.

Here we go again.

...

Reggie

Moose and I talk at my locker as I get my books, but his voice cuts off mid sentence. I look over at him and he's just staring at something. I follow his gaze and my eyes go wide. Ray looks exhausted and there are clear bruises on his neck and face.

Betty attempts to talk to him, but he walks past her without even acknowledging her presence. His face is expressionless, but I can see the terror in his eyes. He's trying to hide it. He doesn't want anyone to notice how afraid he really is.

I want to reach out and ask what's wrong. Do whatever I can to comfort him, but if he wouldn't talk to Betty, I doubt he'd speak to me. He glances at me for just a moment as he passes me and for a moment his expression shifts. He looks like he's begging for help for that moment, but then his expression goes back to stone.

"Go," Moose says and shoves me lightly. I look back at him in confusion. Only a month ago he'd been helping to keep me away from Ray. "He needs to talk to someone and you won't shut up about it if you don't do something," he says and shoves me away again.

I follow him down the hallway and into the bathroom. He's staring in the mirror, holding a tight grip on the sink. "Are you okay," I ask and Ray turns to stare at me.

He looks like he want to scream at me. "I'm fine. Why does everyone keep asking that fucking question," he yells, but falls to his knees. "I'm fine," he says, but it sounds so forced. He looks up at me as tears begin to fall. "Of course I'm not okay Mantle," he whispers and then fully breaks down. He buries his face in his hands as he begins to cry faster.

I sit on the floor next to him and he turns to look at me before burying his head in my chest. He grips my shirt in his fist as he begins to sob into my chest. I wrap my arms around him and rest my chin on his head. I can see more of the bruises on the back of his neck now.

"Everything will be okay. I promise," I whisper and he pulls away from me. He stares up at me and he looks so broken. Our faces are only a few inches apart and he looks away from me for a long time, trying to wipe the tears away.

When he looks at me again, he lets out a sigh. He pulls me towards him and stares at me. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he whispers and his lips lightly press against mine.

I pull him closer so our bodies are pressed together. He pulls away and rests his head on my shoulder. I can see the faint blush on his face and I'm certain I look the same.

"What happened," I ask and lightly run my fingers through his hair.

"I can't say. If he finds out I told anyone.... It's already bad enough right now, I won't survive if it gets any worse," his voice is filled with pain. "I want to so bad," he whispers into my shoulder before pulling away to lean against the wall.

"Why? I can keep you safe. There's nothing they can do then," I say and he won't look at me anymore. I lightly turn his face so our eyes can meet again.

"I'll become his mate. The sale is already almost done. I don't want that. I won't survive that," he sobs out and I wipe the tears away.

"There is a way that he can't become your mate," I whisper and he stares at me. His eyes are full of hope for just a moment.

"What," he asks and I smile at him. It's not the normal cocky one I usually wear either.

"It's simple. Become my mate."