Chapter 4
The door burst open.
Logan strode in and shut it behind him.
He didn't turn on the lights. He stood there, studying me in the pale glow of the moon.
His eyes landed on the travel bag at my feet.
He asked sharply, "What are you doing?
"Running away? Pulling the whole drama queen act?"
I shoved the last jacket into my bag and pulled the zipper closed.
"I'm packing. That's all," I said, my tone flat.
He walked over and kicked the travel bag out of his way.
"Do you think you can walk out of Shadowvale Manor?
"Do you have any idea how dangerous the outside world is?
"You can't take care of yourself at all. You wouldn't last a day out there," he scoffed.
I looked at him, my expression calm and steady.
"It's none of your business," I said.
Logan's chest was heaving with rage.
Suddenly, he grabbed my chin, his grip hard and unyielding.
He said, "Selena, I'm warning you.
"Stop pulling these dramatic stunts to get my attention.
"Lily is still downstairs crying.
"You will go down there right now, look her in the eye, and tell her you're sorry.
"And you're not leaving until she says she forgives you."
I was forced to lift my head and look straight into his furious eyes.
"Look her in the eye and apologize?
"Why?" I shot back.
Logan's grip on my chin tightened.
"Because she's kinder and more innocent than you.
"And today, she almost lost her arm because of you," he growled.
I froze.
"Lost her arm?" I repeated.
Logan let out a cold laugh.
"Still pretending you don't know?
"You dumped oil all over the stairs on purpose, didn't you?
"Lily slipped and broke her right arm because of it.
"If Cameron hadn't caught her, she'd be dead right now," he barked.
I looked into his eyes.
There was nothing there but pure disgust and hatred.
And then I started laughing.
I laughed so hard that my whole body shook, and tears rolled down my cheeks.
So I was already so vicious in their eyes now.
"What's so funny?" Logan snapped, his anger flaring hotter.
"Funny how stupid you are," I replied.
I stopped laughing and stared at him, cold and unflinching.
I sneered, "You're right. I did it.
"I poured the oil. I wanted her dead.
"I'm that cruel. I can't stand her having anything good.
"Does that make you happy now?"
Logan suddenly let go of my chin and took a step back.
He hadn't expected me to admit it.
"So you admit it." He ground out each word between his teeth.
He growled, "Selena, you disgust me.
"From now on, I'm done.
"I'm not your bodyguard anymore, and I don't owe you a damn thing."
He turned and walked toward the door.
"Stay in this room and think about what you've done.
"You're not setting foot outside that door unless I say so," he said.
The door slammed shut, and the lock clicked heavily into place.
I stood there in the darkness, rubbing my chin where his fingers had left it red.
I walked over to the desk and pulled open a drawer.
Inside was a piece of parchment.
It was the mating contract of our pack.
All it would take was my signature, and Logan would be my mate.
I picked up the contract and ripped it clean in half.
Then I tore it again and again until it was nothing but shreds.
I tossed the pieces into the trash can.
I walked over to the window and pushed it open.
The helicopter was already waiting on the manor's helipad.
The roar of its rotors was swallowed up by the night wind.
I grabbed the windowsill with one hand and vaulted out.
My wolf blood let me land softly on the grass without a sound.
I picked up my travel bag and walked toward the black helicopter without looking back once.
Vincent Blackwood, the vampire prince, stood by the cabin door and reached out his hand to me.
"Welcome to your new world, my bride," he said.
I took his cold hand and climbed aboard the helicopter.
*****
Half an hour later, Logan unlocked the door and walked in, carrying a plate of dinner.
He said, "Selena, Lily says she's not mad at you anymore."
The room was empty.
The night wind pulled the curtains away from the window.
Logan's eyes moved past the desk and landed on the trash can.
Inside, the shredded mating contract lay in pieces.
His name was on it.