I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Your mother's birthday party? For goodness sake, I already told you that I'm not going to be attending any of your family events."
His smile faltered, a flash of annoyance crossing his face. "Selena, don't be ridiculous," he chided, his voice taking on a hint of steel. "Of course you're coming. You're my mate, and it's only right that you be there to celebrate with us."
I shook my head, resisting the urge to throw the offending package back in his face. " I have no intention of going to your mother's party," I retorted, my voice rising with frustration. "How many times do I have to tell you that before it sinks in?
"Okay now, you're being unreasonable," he said, his tone clipped. "This dress is a gift, and I expect you to accept it and wear it tonight. It's the least you can do, after everything I've done for you."
I scoffed, the absurdity of his demand nearly overwhelming me. "Everything you've done for me?" I echoed, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "You’ve done nothing but make my life a living hell. I'm not going to wear some fancy dress to your family's party just because you demand it."
His jaw tightened, and I could see that his temper was beginning to flare. "Selena, you're being incredibly stubborn," he growled, his fingers flexing as if he were itching to grab me.
"Newsflash, I didn't speak Spanish when I wrote that message to you. I meant every word – I want nothing to do with you, your pack, or your family members."
He wasn’t still getting what I was saying. I didn’t even know if he was deaf or just trying to be difficult as usual.
"You don't mean that. All the pack members will be there, important high-profile people. And it's my mother's birthday – you can't honestly expect me to attend without my mate by my side."
I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "When my own mother was dying, where were you, Kieran?" I snapped.
He was nowhere to be found, too busy with his pack duties and his precious Nina to even spare a thought for me.
"That's why I'm trying to make it up to you,” he pleaded. “Let me shower you with love and make you happy."
I yanked my hand away, glaring at him. "By forcing me to go to your mother's birthday party?" I hissed, my temper flaring. "Kieran, that's not making up for anything. That's just you trying to control me, like you always have."