Chapter 115: Chapter 115: The Bet
RAMON’S POV
"Why are you acting weird?" I asked Blane after Sonia left. The door had barely clicked shut behind her, yet the room still carried traces of her scent that warm undertone that always pulled at me.
He lifted his brow in confusion as he stared at me. "Weird? How?"
"You’re agreeing with everything I say. It’s weird, because the last few days, you’ve made it a mission to counter my orders." I leaned back in my chair, watching him closely. The torchlight flickered across his face, highlighting the faint lines of exhaustion from his recent confinement.
I could tell he wanted to sigh in frustration. Perhaps even let out a groan of protest. He was just walking on the thin line between friendship and duty. We were friends, no doubt, but he was still my beta.
"You want the truth, or what you want to hear?" He asked, meeting my gaze steadily.
"Both."
He nodded and cleared his throat. "If I should tell you what you want to hear, I’ll probably say something like I’ve learnt my lesson, and I think you’re right."
The corner of my lips began to twitch, but I held back the smile that threatened to form. His honesty was very much welcomed, and in truth, downright amusing.
"But the truth is, I think I know what you’re doing. You don’t want to risk forming a real bond with Sonia, so you throw her a bone, and when she hungers for more, you take it away. Diabolical, but I can understand it."
I couldn’t help cracking up. Throwing my head back, I burst into a fit of laughter. He had started so well, but along the way, he genuinely lost me.
"So you think there’s a probability of me really falling for Sonia? Like I’ll do that on my own terms, regardless of our bond?"
He bobbed his head confidently, and my amusement widened. "I think there’s nothing not to like. She’s beautiful, kind from what we’ve seen so far, and also gifted. If it wasn’t because of who her father is, she’s the kind of girl you’d want in your life. The moon goddess only hastened the inevitable by making her your fated mate." He shrugged.
His body moved as if he had discovered a philosophical truth. One which was law, and unbending. I was rather fascinated by the theory. It almost made me want to pause and judge. Would Sonia be my ideal mate? That would make for a good conversation with my imagination.
My wolf jumped, and I rolled my eyes. There was no need to ask that one. Left for him, he would be running into the sunshine with his mate.
"You’ve lost your mind, Blane. Being alone in that prison certainly did more harm than good to your brain."
"Really? Then prove me wrong. Go through this full moon without consummating your bond. Don’t indulge in the mating dance, and I’ll believe you can really control yourself from falling for her beyond the mate bond."
I chuckled. I just couldn’t help it. What did Blane take me for? Sonia was nothing special. I could have the prettiest girl in any pack by just a snap of my finger.
"Are you sure you want to make this bet? Because I for sure want to turn this into a bet."
"If you win, I’ll become the pack clown for as long as you like."
"And if you win, what do you want?"
My ears opened in anticipation. He could mention Sonia. At least it would prove everyone’s theory that he liked her. The question was, would I just allow him to take her? She was still my mate, and I still needed her to get back at her father.
"You’ll arrange for a sit-down with Alpha Ferins. And you have to extend the olive branch."
I frowned. There was no way he had just asked me to do that. I’d rather give up Sonia than talk to Ferins first. Besides, what was there to talk about? All I needed from him was for him to surrender himself to me and beg for mercy. I wasn’t going to forgive him, of course. But the thought of him crawling on his knees for my forgiveness made life worth living.
"I can’t do that."
"Then you don’t believe you can go through this full moon without giving in to her."
He was doing this on purpose. Goading and manipulating so I could fall for his cheap tricks. "Pick something else. Anything other than a sit-down with Ferins."
"That’s the only thing I can think of."
I eyed him suspiciously. Could he be the traitor in the pack? Why else would he want me to talk to Ferins? "Explain to me why you’d want me to contact him first. Maybe a little insight would help my decision," I said, relaxing into my seat and waiting for an explanation.
He smiled broadly. It was that kind of smile filled with hidden meanings. Whatever game he was playing, it must be pretty amusing.
"Because I think you both are long overdue for one. What’s the worst that could happen? If all hell breaks loose, Ferins cannot beat you in a one-on-one combat."
"You really think his sons would let me meet him alone?" I scoffed at the delusion.
"No. What I think is that the sons of Ferins live by a moral code. That’s why whatever their feelings are at any given time, it never shone above their father’s wishes. If he asks them to stay back, they will stay back."
"How do you know all of this?" I asked, my suspicion growing.
He bowed his head, and when he lifted it up, there was a twinkle in his eyes. "You asked me to be your eyes and ears. It’s all I’ve ever been. And it’s not that difficult to tell. Do you think Wolf, who is known to not give a damn about anyone’s feelings, would be able to hold back this long, knowing his sister is in the hands of his father’s enemy?"
I stroked my chin as I thought about what he had just said. It was true—Wolf was extremely impulsive. If Ferins had that much control over his children, I wondered how that manifested in Sonia, who was supposed to be his favourite.
I looked to Blane, and he had an excited expression on his face. "Why are you happy?"
"Cause I know that twinkle," he pointed to my eyes. "I know it all too well."
"Tell me what this twinkle you see in my eyes is?"
"You’re itching for a good challenge," he laughed.
I nodded, having been caught. I’d love to see how everything would play out eventually. "Let’s seal the bet." I stretched out my hand, and he dropped to his knees in front of me. Bowing his head slightly, he kissed the knuckles of my ring finger.
"As you wish, Alpha."
