by Nicole René
Leawyn lowered her eyes back to the ground, her chest tight with dread. She heard Xavier move closer to her, and she took a halting breath against the nervousness that seemed to choke her and keep her body paralyzed.
“Tell me your name, girl,” Xavier demanded, staring down at her small form. She was tiny compared to him. He easily towered over her.
Leawyn felt herself bristle slightly at his tone. He didn’t ask, he commanded.
“Leawyn,” she answered softly, proud her voice didn’t come out as shaky as she thought it would.
Xavier’s expressionless mask twisted into an angry scowl.
“Look at me,” Xavier growled, his voice low. When Leawyn’s eyes failed to meet his fast enough, he reached down and gripped her chin and jerked her face up to look at him.
“Your gaze will always meet my own,” he told her sternly, staring down into her wide eyes. “You will only have eyes for me, do you understand?”
Leawyn’s feelings of fear quickly turned into annoyance. “Shall I call you master while I’m at it?” she asked sardonically, glaring at him defiantly. She wasn’t prepared for the sharp jerk he gave her chin as he forced her to tilt her face up higher.
“I do not appreciate the attitude, Leawyn. You will do well to remember who exactly you are talking to, and you will respect me,” Xavier growled down at her, yanking her chin up yet again, and causing a whimper of pain to escape from her.
“Now, do you understand?” he asked again. When she went to give him a nod, he tightened his grip on her before she could follow through with the motion. “The words, Leawyn. I want the words.”
“Yes!” Leawyn gasped out against his tight hold, staring up at him with wide, frightened eyes. “Yes, I understand!”
Leawyn rubbed her aching jaw as he let go of her abruptly. She took a few steps away from him hastily, trying to blink back the tears of pain and fear that clouded her eyes.
“How old are you?” Xavier asked, watching her.
“E-eighteen summers,” Leawyn stuttered, looking up at him nervously. She knew he was much older than she, and the knowledge that she was expected to marry him made her stomach clench with sickness. But, Leawyn knew some girls’ younger than herself were married to much older men. She told herself she should be somewhat grateful.
“We will be married in three days’ time.”
Leawyn’s body tensed in shock, the icy cold feeling of dread washed over her. “What?” She gaped at him. “We can’t!”
She couldn’t live with this man! This possessive, domineering man who didn’t care if he hurt her.
She shook her head. She wouldn’t marry Xavier. Not after meeting him.
“I will not marry you,” Leawyn said suddenly, her brows creasing as she stared up at him in determination.
Xavier stiffened, every muscle in his body tensing as his eyes cut to hers. Leawyn swallowed against the urge to run as she edged away from him, catching the dangerous glint that entered his eyes. The glint was that of a predator who caught sight of its prey right before attacking.
She had a feeling the prey was her.
“What did you say?” Xavier asked, his voice was silky and dripped with promised danger.
Leawyn gulped, but then lifted her chin defiantly while staring at him with more bravery than she felt.
“I will not marry you,” she repeated, backing away from him as he took slow, measured steps towards her.
Xavier shook his head slowly, his icy eyes never leaving hers. “I’ll ask you one more time, Leawyn. What did you just say?”
“I refuse to marry—”
Xavier’s eyes flashed furiously, his hand shooting out and wrapping around the back of her neck in a vice-like grip. Using his other hand, he gripped her jaw brutally.
“You will become my wife, Leawyn,” he said in warning. He leaned in, rubbing his bearded cheek against her smooth one. “And if I find out you have let another man between your legs come our wedding night . . .”
She could only emit a soft gasp of pain as Xavier’s grip around her neck squeezed tighter.
“I’ll kill you,” he whispered softly into her ear.
Leawyn sucked in a sharp breath, and he laughed humorlessly as he drew back and looked into her frightened eyes.
How had her life come to this?
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Nicole René is a San Diego native living with her grumpy kitty, Sebastian and her crazy cute Boxer, Walter.
When she’s not busy creating sexy alpha males, you can most likely find her with her nose stuck in a book reading OTHER sexy alpha males, kicking back with her friends and family, at the movies, or further fueling her “The Little Mermaid” and “The Lord of the Rings” obsession.
She is a certified klutz, often tripping over invisible objects, dropping things like they were hot, and playing ping-pong with the walls. She has lots of tattoos, loves to eat sushi—but hates eating cooked fish, hates going to the beach (even though she’s surrounded by them), and is still waiting for her Hogwarts letter to come in the mail.
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As always, to my family—thank you for always being so supportive of my me, and my dream to become an author. You never give up on me and always push me to be a better writer, and a better human being. I love you.
To my betas—Your excitement makes me excited, your love for the characters and story makes me fall in love with them all over again, and your critiques, notes, and general kick in the butt makes me the best author I can be. Thank you!
To Christine—Your professionalism is unprecedented and your creative eye for interior is insane. Thank you for making my book look so beautiful!
To Marisa Shor—Oh, my God! Thank you for the beautiful cover and making my vision become a reality. It’s perfect, and I’m so happy to have worked with you and can’t wait to do it again!
To Joel Hicks and Rhianna—Joel, you continue to amaze me with your talent. Twice now you could capture the vision of my characters and deliver stunning photos. I can’t image putting anyone else on my covers. Rhianna, you’re absolutely stunning! You’re everything I imagined Namoriee to be. Thank you both!
To Krista—Thank you for putting up with my messages about grammar and for doing me solids when I spring things on you with short notice!
To my friend, mentor, and role model Carian Cole—I said this before, but you have no idea how much you inspire me and how I look up to you. Your friendship has been everything, and I still pinch myself sometimes that my favorite author responded to my gushing message on Facebook and so easily shared her experiences and leant a helping hand to a girl who had a dream of publishing her first book. I can’t wait to finally meet and hug you in October! Thank you!
To my Wattpad readers—you’ve been with me from the beginning, and I can’t thank you enough. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart.
To my Warrior Tribe—You ladies are the highlight of my day! Thank you so much for making writing more fun with your excitement and love for my books. I hope to be able to meet you all someday so I can give all of you a giant hug!
