Chapter Forty-Nine
Catherine went to the restroom before returning to the kitchen in order to splash water on her face and neck. Whatever Lucien did to her felt wrong. Mable mentioned he was magical. Was that what happened? After a few minutes, she went to the kitchen and heard giggling. She opened the door to find Mary splashing Mable with some water. The two giggled and then turned to face her.
Mary’s face lit up. “Oh, hello, dear!”
“M-Mary? What are you doing here?”
Mary walked over and gave Catherine a hug. “Graham texted me about how worn out you were. He said you and Mable have been working alone, is that true?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips in disapproval.
“Lucille staged a walkout,” Mable added helpfully.
Mary clicked her tongue. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Me and the girls will be here tomorrow morning to help out until you can find new employees. For now…” Mary turned, took a cellophane wrapped plate from the counter and shoved it in Catherine’s hands. “Go outside where it’s cool and eat. You’re too thin.”
Mary went back to the sink while Mable wiped down the counters. “Mable, shouldn’t you…”
“She’s already eaten. Now get!” Mary said without turning.
Catherine went outside and sat on the back porch railing. It was late and the sun had gone down which meant most everyone was at home with their families. The pack grounds were still and quiet. She glanced up at the stars while she ate Mary’s homemade brunswick stew and cornbread. She hung out for a few more minutes than she probably deserved before stretching and going back to the kitchen. She put her hair up as she walked in.
“Alright guys, thank you for your help but there’s no need for us all to be exhausted tomorrow. Why don’t you all head on…”
Catherine stopped when she saw the familiar set of shoulders facing away from her.
Graham was in front of the sink. His suit jacket was on the island and he’d rolled up the sleeves of his white button down shirt. He didn’t turn around or say anything upon Catherine’s entrance.
“Where’s Mable and your mom?” she asked.
“I sent them home,” he whispered, moving the dish he’d just cleaned to the next sink.
“You don’t have to help. I can get it done.” Catherine walked up beside him and took the plate he was about to set down.
“I know.”
Catherine started to put the clean dishes away. Every few seconds she would glance over to him. His body was entrancing. The way his shoulders would shift when he would put a dish in the next sink. How his hands would glide over a plate or he would struggle to fit them into a cup.
She was getting another round of clean dishes when he spoke. “I’ve never seen someone resist his compulsion before.”
Catherine glanced up but Graham kept his gaze on the sink even though it was now empty. He braced both hands against the marble counter.
“Compulsion?”
Graham’s eyes moved sideways to look at her. He lifted his right hand and brushed her elbow sending an electric jolt through her arm. “When he touched you. He has a way of convincing unmated females to feel the mate bond towards himself. Some say he was the first lycan and it was the Moon Goddess’ way of ensuring her creation’s success.”
*I did feel something,” she admitted, making him tense up. “But it was nothing like…” She gestured between them.
Graham faced her fully and crossed his arms. “I feel it too, Catherine. Everything you feel for me I feel for you. I would never hurt you or risk our bond.”
Catherine sighed. She’d thought a lot about their fight in the last twenty four hours. The time had been everything she’d needed. She crossed her arms too
1/3
truth.”
His brows furrowed. “The truth?”
“Why is Chloe here?”
Graham nodded and stood firmer. “She needs my help to save her brother and I need her help to take someone down.”
“Who?” She knew. She didn’t want to hear it and she resolved herself to hear his name.
linger. Only if you tell me the
Graham’s eyes wandered her face. “Dominic DeAngelo.”
Catherine took in a deep breath while closing her eyes. She couldn’t react too strongly or he would know something was wrong. “Why do you need to take him down?” It couldn’t be for her, she’d not told him what that evil dick did to her.
Graham eliminated the two feet between them. He clasped her face in his hands and she nearly fell to the floor with relief at his touch. His eyes were hard on her as he looked for something. “He hurt someone I love.”
Catherine’s brow furrowed. “W-who?”
“Catherine…” he pleaded. Why was he saying her name like that. He didn’t know! He couldn’t! If he knew what Dominic had done, what his plans were for her she would be cast out by now. She hoped the fear didn’t show on her face but his agonized gaze told her it had. He kept his grip on her face but dropped his head. When he looked back up his eyes were blank. “Leonora.”
“Wait, what?”
He let go of her face and leaned back against the sink. “Leonora was Dominic DeAngelo’s fated mate.”
Whatever Catherine had been expecting was not this. “But… but she’s with Benji. She has triplets. How…”
“When she realized how deranged of a man he was she rejected him but he refused her rejection. She married Benji in order to try to break the bond. Benji is a good man. He is older and had lost his first mate in a tragic accident. Their mating was one of convenience that turned into a companionship. They love each other but that fucker not accepting the rejection meant there has always been a piece of her missing and it… affects her. Only his death will release her.”
“Wow… the poor thing.”
“What else do you want to ask me?” He seemed nervous again and ran his hand through his hair.
“Why did you accept the challenge?”
Graham smirked. He tentatively took her hand and she let him. He kissed the back of it and examined it while he answered. “I wanted to fight it but… Everyone’s right. I cannot ignore destiny. After you and Jensen recognized each other I knew it was only a matter of time before I’d have to accept it. I’m not thrilled about it, but I know it is the right thing to do. I just couldn’t let Jensen bully me into it. When he commanded me not to mark you…” Graham’s eyes turned black and his canines slipped out. “I wanted to challenge him right there.” He shook his head.
“If I bent to him in that case I was worried he would continue to wield that power over me. I couldn’t let that happen. I knew Stuart would challenge me. It was only a matter of time. I’m just sorry it’s kept me from marking you and that Jensen refuses to acknowledge you.” His black eyes met hers. “What he’s done to you. The pain we’ve both caused you… I’m sorry, Catherine and I’ll spend the rest of eternity making it up to you. I will never deceive you again. I will never keep something from you. I will never leave you again.” His grip on her tightened. “I need you. Please, don’t make me spend another night without you.”
Catherine sighed and nodded. His grip tightened further in hope. “We need to figure out how to override Jensen’s command.”
He smiled brilliantly at her and kissed her softly. “I kind of had an idea about that.”
“Oh?” she asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He nodded. “The other night while you were passed out and snoring…”
2/3
Chapter Forty-Nine
“Hey!” she smacked his chest.
He kissed her delicately again. “I was so angry and couldn’t sleep until you ordered me to.”
“I ordered you?” she asked, pointing from her to him.
He nodded again. “Apparently. I didn’t realize what happened until the next morning. You commanded me to sleep and I did. You have Jensen’s blood in you and you’re clearly gifted and strong. Like I said, I’ve never seen an unmarked female pull away from Lucien like that. Fucker. If he wasn’t some ancient god- like entity I would have…”
“Graham.”
“Right. I think you have more power than you know. You can override it. I know you can.”
“Hmm,” Catherine mused, running her flat palm down his sternum. “Shall we give it a try now?”
His smile grew and he nodded eagerly. “Goddess, yes, I need to have you,” he whispered, his grip on her waist tightening to an almost painful degree. “It is absolutely killing me to not see my mark on your neck. To not know what you’re feeling. To not be connected to you.”
Catherine ran her hands up to his neck. “Okay then, what do I do?”
He lowered his lips to her ear. “Close your eyes,” he breathed. Her eyelids fluttered closed. “Picture your aura. Feel it around you. Feel it flowing, encompassing you. Then, when you’re ready, force it away from you and tell me what you want me to do.”
He pulled back and ran his thumbs over her hips. She cupped his throat and stared intently into his eyes causing him to chuckle. “Don’t laugh! I have to be serious,” she scolded. He nodded and sealed his lips shut. “Okay.” She took a deep breath. She focused intently on her aura and his eyes simultaneously. “Mark me. Mark me, Graham.”
Surrendering to Destiny
