Villain and the Geek 2 (The Wolf's Mate, #7)

by L.C. Davis

I stab the needle through the fabric stretched across the wooden frame in my hands, envisioning it sticking in Constantine's face. Another stitch to add to my masterpiece—a pillow embroidered with my favorite phrase in elegant script. Go Fuck Yourself The curse flows from my needle in a soothing rhythm, a welcome distraction during my lonely days in Constantine's sprawling and practically empty mansion.

the issue isn't whatever world I happen to be inhabiting at the moment. The issue is me. I'm just not the kind of person anyone—especially Constantine—is going to fall head over heels in love with. Or apparently even respect enough to stick around the morning after.

also kind of puts a damper on things when your brother is the new main character in your former favorite book, and you can't reread it without needing decades of therapy. Does this world even have therapy? I’m sure Grayridge doesn't. That explains a lot, now that I think about it.

Sure, I've been overlooked, bullied, and rejected all my life, but this cuts deeper than anything that's come before. Because for the first time, I dared to hope. I dared to let myself believe that I might finally find love and belonging. And Constantine took that hope away from me with the same careless ease with which he took my virginity.

This is my fucking dream, and I'm not going to deal with his bullshit when he doesn't even have the decency to talk to me in real life, face to face. Not when I'm the one he's left to take the brunt of the questions and pitying stares from the other members of the household. Fuck him. Even if he is fluffy.

When I hear him following me again, I spin around, furious, until I realize that at some point, he shifted into his normal wolf form. He’s considerably less intimidating like this, on all fours with plush white fur instead of a hulking beast. "Oh, for fuck's sake, that's low," I mutter, folding my arms. "Are you seriously trying to look cuter so I'll be less pissed?"

Understanding hits me like a punch to the gut and I bury my face in my hands with a groan. I'm in heat. After all this time waiting, it figures it would happen here. Now. Without my mate. Fucking fantastic timing.

I'm not giving up on you, he vows. I will never give up. I'll stay here as long as it takes for you to come down and hear me out. And if you’re so stubborn that you hold on until you fall, I will catch you.

As if sensing my hesitation, Constantine lowers himself to a bow before me. Command me, and I will obey, he murmurs. Whatever it takes to regain your trust, I will do it.

"Good boy," he murmurs, his voice low and soothing. "One day, you’ll be full of far more than just my seed."

"You know what they say about villains, though," I murmur. He cocks an eyebrow. "What do they say?" "That a hero will sacrifice you for the world, but a villain will sacrifice the world for you."