Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos
205. Olivia - Gifts

It's dinner time when Tyson opens the back door of the kitchen. The smell of home made food has my mouth salivating. Except for the strawberries Ansel, Jasper, and Mose fed me in the morning and a few candies I ate while in the city, I

haven't had any real food the entire day.

Ansel and Jasper are sitting at the table playing cards with Steven while Mose and Levi are at the stove making dinner.

As if reading my mind, Mose says, "Dinner will be ready in about an hour."

An hour doesn't sound that bad. I can wait. But not here, in the kitchen, where Levi is. He didn't even bother to look at me.

Not wanting to see another look of disgust on Levi's face, I decide to go to Jasper's room, but when I pass by the table, Ansel pulls me into his lap. "And where do you think you're going?" he asks me, his face serious.

Is Ansel angry? My heart sinks. What did I do wrong?

Tyson and Rueben, carrying the shopping bags, disappear down the hall. Them being so nice after what they did to me earlier has me unseasy. What are they plotting now?

"I didn't want to bother any of you and "

Ansel doesn't let me finish as he kisses me. "You can bother me anytime." Helping me stand, he says, "Let me see your new dress. Spin around a few times for your men."

Jasper, Mose, and Ansel have their eyes on me. Unsure of myself but not wanting to disappoint them, I turn a few times before I stop next to Jasper's chair.

"You look beautiful," Mose says. I'm not sure if he means it or he is just saying it.

Jasper pats his lap, and I sit on it. His arms come around my waist. After nuzzling my mouth with his and leaving a trail of kisses from my lips all the way to my ear, he says, “I can't wait for dessert.” After kissing the shell of my ear, he adds, “I have a feeling that tonight you will finally become my bonded."

I lean my head on his shoulder. A new bond will make things even more complicated, but I don't have the heart to tell Jasper I don't want to be his bonded.

"How was shopping?" Levi's sudden question has me looking at him. He is at the island holding a mug in his hands. If he's talking to me, does that mean he still considers me his friend...?

"It went better than I expected," I say truthfully. Too good, if I'm completely honest. Tyson and Rueben are driving me crazy with their sudden mood swings. Do they have multiple personalities? Or are they trying to see how much they can push me before I snap?

Levi smiles. "Good. I made you hot cocoa. But I don't know if you still like it."

"I do," I say quickly.

Levi brings me the hot cocoa. "You look tired."

"I didn't get to sleep too much last night. Ansel and Jasper kept waking me up," I say without thinking.

Ansel laughs. "Resisting you it's basically impossible. Tell you what. Take the hot cocoa to the room and get some rest. I'll wake you when the food is ready."

I look around the kitchen. Something is strange. Why are they all nice to me? I'm not used to this. It makes me...nervous.

"You don't mind?" I ask, wanting to be convinced I'm not missing something.

Jasper kisses my cheek. "You can always nap in my arms."

I stand. "The bed is more comfortable."

I grab the mug and leave the kitchen. The rest of the house is quiet, making me wonder where the others are. Maybe they are patrolling the farm?

When I pass by Tyson's office, I hear noises coming from inside. Is he working on a new book? But didn't Rueben say he has writer's block? Not my problem. Besides, he told me to stay away from his office. I rush to Jasper's room and close the door behind me.

All the adrenaline of the day disappears and my legs give in. I lean against the wall, steadying myself. Hot cocoa spills from the mug on the floor. "Fuck," I mutter.

After putting the mug on the coffee table, I head over to the bathroom but stop by the bed. The shopping bags are on it. Why did Tyson and Rueben spend so much money on me? Rueben might have been a complete jerk, but I open the shopping bags and pull out an absolutely gorgeous cream-lace dress he found this for me. And the best part? It has no stains. I don't think I have ever had something so beautiful.

I should put the clothes in the closet before I take a short nap. I start taking it all out so I can sort through them and when I get to the last bag, I gasp. Really loud, too. Especially when I take out the books and the vinyls I had been looking at in the thrift store. At the bottom of the bag, there's a note.

*I still have the record player you bought me years ago. We could listen to music together like we used to do in the orchard. Do you remember how we used to dance under the stars? *

*Why did you have to cheat on me and ruin everything? All I ever wanted was to fucking love you. Now all I want is to fucking destroy you.*

*And I will, Little Rabbit, I will.*

I rip the note into tiny pieces and throw the bag in a dark corner of Jasper's closet.

"You already destroyed me the day you blocked my number."

**Hi everyone. I just wanted to everyone know that I enjoy your comments very much. The moment of truth is very near and I can't wait to read all the comments.**