Chapter 3 The Dark Side of Daniel

Ellie's POV

I shook my head, so weary and furious at the same time. "If you loved me, you would not have done this. You loved her more than me, Daniel. You made a conscious decision to violate every single commitment you ever gave me."

His face changed in an instant, softened, but it was clear that he was finding it hard to cope with me, and he suddenly got up, his look changing from one of shame to a cold, almost an angry one.

"You know what?" "Maybe it's not only me who is at fault," he blurted out sharply." You've been so... distanced recently. Always wary, always second-guessing. "Maybe I just wanted a respite from that."

There was something in the way he said those words that shocked me for a moment, one that hurt worse than I thought it would. He was actually pointing fingers at me! How could he do that after all that I have just seen? He was actually twisting it and making me the villain here?

"I'm the one to blame for all of this, right?" I questioned, my voice unsteady. "I'm the one who forced you to turn against me?"

Daniel's eyes turned violent, and I met a stranger for a moment. Where did that soft, protective friend who stood by me in hard times go? This was a completely different person, someone who would inflict pain just to feel better about himself. The realization crashed over me like a wave and I staggered a step back, feeling forlorn and disappointed almost to the point of sinking.

"Daniel, guess what?" "This isn't of any use to me," I said, sounding determined even when it hurt." I thought I understood you, but there is every chance I was mistaken." "You are not who I thought you were."

"Ellie, just hold on," he said, his tone once again warming up. But I didn't feel like hearing him out. I didn't want to hear another excuse, more like a lie. I turned back and walked out of the room, the weight in my body increasing with every step.

"Did I actually hear you correctly, Daniel? "Are you out of your mind or are you sick and tired of...it all?" I heard myself yell at him, rage vibrating with every word that escaped my lips. The contempt was undeniable in my voice. I was almost apologetic for the words that were leaving his mouth.

Daniel just stood there, and then he let out a snort, actually smiling a little. "You see, had you agreed to do exactly what you dolled up for me those Yorkies earlier, all this cuck would not have been. "We would have been good, smiling even," he said, licking his lips and slamming his fist against the wall in what appeared to be anger directed towards me.

"And you believe that is what love is all about?" I averted my gaze at him in a strange way. "Seriously? "You assume that love is merely the satisfaction of your needs?" He was becoming less and less of the man that I envisioned. Perhaps he was never that man; rather, this man had just been believably calm all this while.

He snickered. "You know, that is not the case," he scornfully prompted, poking my chin. I immediately looked away and swatted his hand away. I attempted to make my way past him, but he stepped forward and stood in my way.

"You're staying here until you stop being mad at me. "And do not pretend as if you do not know you share some responsibility in this," he grinned hard-faced. "I am making you my mate for a reason." "It's a lot of work, but it benefits you." "Trust me."

"Sound alert: I am not interested in your 'assistance'!" I retorted, her voice shaking but firm. I attempted to get around him a second time, but his hand darted out, grasping my wrist in a vice-like grip. His grip was uncomfortably tight, and irritation was evident in his eyes.

His face contorted in rage as he yanked me closer. "You will hear me out," he spat out the words. "You are going to pretend as if nothing has happened. You will take my hand during the introductions when I present you as my chosen one. Got it?" It was a statement made with a dangerously low tone, that cut deep into my core with the menace of his very dark, penetrating stare.

"I was shaking my head strongly." "No way." "I would rather die than do such a thing," I answered while trying to maintain my composure. He had already broken many of the boundaries, but this time he was stepping into the territory of trying to take dominion over me, and it irked me. He ought to know by now that I was not going to be his little sh*t anymore.

Confusion passed on his face. To his credit, he actually appeared sad for a split second, but it was back to the realm of dismissal almost immediately. And a cruel smile, one that made my stomach churn, appeared on his lips, one that made me feel sick. "Whatever-the decision to be my mate is not yours to make anyway. "I guess then if I want something, I can just get it," he mused with a dark anticipation in his tone.

When he advanced, I panicked slightly. Within him, I saw an unsettling glint that made me aware he did not merely mean to intimidate me into silence. He tried to grab me, his rough hands catching both my shoulders before sliding me back against the wall. I couldn't extricate myself from his grasp. It was too strong. Too strong. And as a result, I felt as though I was in captivity.

"Please, just let me go," I pleaded, my voice almost gone. My heart raced and terror gripped me. I attempted to shove his hands away, but he only twisted them, smiling wider. He got closer, whispering into my ear with his lips almost on me. "Calm down, Ellie. Just a few hours and it's going to be thank-you only."