Elena’s POV
"So that’s it then? Can I walk out of here safely or should I wait until dark?" I questioned him directly.
"Why do you always have to be such a pain in the ass?" Marcus shot back.
"Because I have every right to be. And because nobody in this entire pack has done anything to earn my respect enough for to tone it down." The words ca out sharp and unapologetic.
"You realize I wasn’t the one who decided to punish you and your mother after your father passed away." His voice carried a defensive edge.
"Of course I know that. But you haven’t lifted a finger to fix any of it either, have you?" I challenged him.
"What do you an?" Confusion flickered across his features.
"You haven’t made any effort to get us out of that piece of shit trailer. You haven’t bothered to ensure my mother gets paid the sa wage as every other oga in this pack. She makes less than everyone else, which is exactly why she’s working multiple jobs just to scrape by. Jobs that barely cover the bills that you keep jacking up the prices on." My frustration bled through every word.
"It can’t possibly be as dire as you’re making it sound." He dismissed my concerns with a wave of his hand.
"Do you honestly believe we’d still be stuck in that dump if we had any other option?" I fired back.
"Look, there’s nothing I can do right now. We don’t have any available housing. Not until the construction on the new developnt is finished." His excuse fell flat.
"Don’t waste your breath. Those houses will be too upscale for people like us. Too pristine for the likes of my mother and . You’ll have the entire pack up in arms if you give us sothing that nice. Can’t have them thinking their Alpha’s gone soft, can we?" The bitterness in my voice was unmistakable.
"What the hell could you possibly understand about running a pack?" His temper flared.
"I understand that you’re an arrogant bastard, just like your old man. He trained you well, didn’t he? Made sure you ended up with the perfect little girlfriend who’d guarantee this pack had backup if you ever needed to form alliances with neighboring territories. He orchestrated your entire existence before you could even take your first steps. Hell, probably before you were even conceived." The truth spilled out of like poison.
"You have no idea what you’re talking about." His denial was weak.
"Actually, I know more than you think. I’m a hell of a lot more perceptive than anyone gives credit for. My father was head warrior, rember? So while you were off playing Alpha-in-training and gallivanting around during your father’s reign, I overheard conversations that a kid probably shouldn’t have been listening to. Your father assud I was just so clueless child. But I absorbed every damn word." I laid it all out for him.
"Such as?" Marcus’s arms crossed defensively over his chest.
"Such as how he’d already handpicked the ideal mate for his precious son. So girl nad Viviana. I was barely ten years old when I heard him discussing his grand plan." The revelation hit its mark.
"I’ve only been involved with Viviana for a couple of years. Are you suggesting this was all orchestrated?"
"That’s exactly what I’m telling you. She was molded into exactly what they knew would appeal to you. Shaped so you’d willingly accept her as your girlfriend." I watched the realization dawn on his face.
"This is impossible." He shook his head in disbelief.
"Believe whatever you want. Your father’s a manipulative piece of work. And like I’ve been trying to tell you, you’re walking the exact sa path he laid out. Now if you’ll excuse , I’m heading ho. I desperately need to wash the stench of this place off my skin." I grabbed my jacket and headed for the kitchen, intending to slip out through the back exit.
The trailer felt like a sanctuary after the confrontation. I imdiately dove into the shower, letting the hot water wash away not just the physical gri but the emotional residue of dealing with Victor’s wandering hands and Marcus’s stubborn attitude.
After changing into clean clothes that hadn’t been contaminated by unwanted touching, I was just stepping out of the bathroom when Marcus’s distinctive scent hit my senses.
I found him standing in our cramped living room, his eyes taking in the reality of our situation. All of my possessions were cramd against a single wall, a pathetic collection that represented everything I owned in this world.
"What are you doing in my ho?" I demanded.
When he turned to face , sothing in his expression caught off guard. The usual arrogance had been replaced by sothing deeper, more vulnerable. Genuine sorrow mixed with concern, creating an expression I’d never witnessed on his face before. For the first ti since I’d known him, he actually looked human.
He didn’t offer any explanation. Instead, he closed the distance between us with purposeful steps. His hand ca up to cradle my face, thumb brushing against my cheekbone before he drew closer and pressed his lips against mine.
My initial instinct was to resist, to push him away and demand answers. But sothing about the gentleness of his touch, so different from his usual commanding presence, made my resolve crumble. My arms found their way around his neck as I surrendered to the unexpected tenderness of the mont.
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