Free Van, Becca - Taming Olivia [Terra-form 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Becca van Page A

at all.”
    “You’re scared of him?” Gage asked. “No one would ever hurt you, Olivia. We treasure our women. Haven’t you noticed how few women we have?”
    “Well, yes, I had wondered, but I don’t care. I mean, I do, but I can’t have him. I don’t want him,” Olivia stated, her voice quavering. She looked over to where her mates and Tony were in deep discussion. She saw a surprised expression flit across Tony’s face, and then his eyes pinned her. She lowered her lashes, turned her head away, and looked back at Gage.
    “I’m sorry, but I don’t want you to decide now. Take some time to think things over. You are his mate and I want you to seriously think about accepting him before you deny him. You haven’t even taken the time to get to know him yet. How can you refute him as your mate? Please, Olivia. Please take some time to talk with Tony.” Gage’s steely voice brooked no argument.
    “Whatever you say, your highness,” Olivia replied disparagingly then rose and walked away. Instead of going back to the table where her mates were, she walked to the sliding glass doors and out into the gardens.
    There was no fucking way she was obeying a stranger. She was leaving.

Chapter Nine

    Olivia made it to the large hammock then stopped and stood staring into the fish pond, her arms wrapped around her waist, her stance protective and defensive. She had nowhere else to go, and she’d already tried to run once. The thought of another shifter species trying to claim her as their mate was repugnant. She didn’t fit in. She’d never fit in anywhere, not even in her own home. She knew her mom loved her, had protected her when her mom’s latest boyfriend had tried to touch her, but she felt guilty. Her mom had been charged with assault. The bastard had pressed charges against her mother. Her mom had ended up in jail for three months, serving time for something any normal mom would do to protect her child. Olivia had never gotten over that. She and her brother had had to stay with her mom’s sister.
    Her aunt had resented having to look after her and her brother. She’d been young and single, and they had obviously cramped her style. Her Aunt Delia had blamed Olivia for her mom’s incarceration, calling her a little slut and tramp. Olivia had learned from her aunt how to protect herself using her tongue. She gave back as good as she got. When her mom had finally been released from prison, they’d had to find another place to live. Their previous apartment had been re-leased, and her mom had never been the same.
    She was harder, tougher, not as in touch with her two children as she had been before her stint in prison. She’d tried to talk to her mom and apologize, but her mom had brushed her aside, saying she had nothing to apologize for. Their relationship had deteriorated in Olivia’s eyes. She felt like an outsider in her own home, not knowing which way to turn or how to fix things and get back to where they had been before. Olivia’s older brother had tried to make up for their mom’s lack of affection, but somehow, things had changed too much from what they had been. She’d carried around the guilt for years, using her mouth whenever she felt hurt or threatened. It was as natural to her as breathing now. She didn’t know how to change. Not sure if she even wanted to.
    Olivia slipped into the hammock, her stomach so tied in knots the thought of food made her feel ill. She closed her eyes, breathing in the warm, humid air and the scents of the flora blooming in the garden. She didn’t want to be under the control of any men. She liked her independence too much. The thought of another man trying to tell her what to do, controlling her, was so frightening. She gave in to the urge and wept. She didn’t make a sound, just let the tears leak from beneath her eyelids. She wanted to curl up and sleep. She wouldn’t have to deal with anything if she was asleep.
    Olivia squealed in fright as large hands