The Designated Mate novel Chapter 54

Patience, Knox. Patience.

Corbin's POV

I finally regained consciousness, my throat throbbing from the punishing hold Knox had on it minutes before. My mom helped me sit up while my dad just stared at me in contempt. I swallowed with a wince, pain ricocheting up and down my throat from the small action.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" My father sneered angrily. My hand came up to my throat, knowing I'd be unable to actually speak in the moment. I think he knew that too and just didn't want to give me the chance to defend myself.

"You're the biggest idiot I've ever met, Corbin. I know for a fact I didn't raise you this way," He spat.

"Aaron, that's enough," My mom hissed before eyeing him seriously. My father ground his teeth before turning to look away from me.

"Someone get him to the infirmary and make sure Knox didn't do any permanent damage," he ordered with a dismissive wave of his wrist. I kept my head down as the Beta and Gamma helped me walk out, my face burning with embarrassment as I watched the ground, knowing the rest of the pack was watching me with judgmental eyes.

My anger and humiliation continued rising higher and higher, the final straw being the pack doctor telling me that a fight between Knox and I would be comical and suicidal at the same time. Everyone in this pack has looked at me like I was a joke ever since Knox turned up. I used to be the Golden boy - the standard for all men in our pack because, I mean, just look at me. What's there not to love? Now I'm just the laughing stock.

I stormed out of the medical wing and beelined for my father's office, my body hot all over from my anger.

We'll see who has the last laugh. We'll see...

Throwing the door open, I slammed it behind me before locking it. I ripped the office phone off the hook before viciously flipping through my father's contact book that was sitting right next to it. Finding the number I was looking for, I punched it into the phone and listened to the dial tone as my hands shook and my legs bounced. My breathing quickened as my heart began to pound in my chest as a wave of adrenaline washed over my body.

"Alpha Rhymes speaking."

"I don't understand why you're so worried," Knox started, his fingers beginning to rub circles into my hips. I huffed angrily and crossed my arms over my chest.

"How could I not be worried, Knox?! You say something ominous about basically taking care of my father and old Alpha, then brush off my concern like it's nothing!" I fretted before spinning in his loose hold so that we were face to face. "I know you think you're indestructible, but you have an uncle out there that is just as much a Lycan as you! If something happens to you, I don't know what I would do!" I sniffled, suppressing the thoughts that caused a bad taste in my mouth.

"This is all part of the plan," he replied cryptically. If I were a cartoon, I was sure steam would be billowing from my ears.

"And what the hell is the plan?!" I burst, screaming so loud he winced and jerked his head back.

"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with," Knox stated defensively. I growled, so angry I was seeing red, before shoving his hands away from me. If he was going to treat me this way - keeping me out of important things that pertained to me - then I didn't even want to look at him right now. I turned and stormed off, leaving him behind.

"Poppy," he said, a hint of a warning in his tone. I completely ignored him as I grabbed his pillow and rooted around for a spare blanket as well. I threw both items on the couch, fully aware that he was watching my every move.