Chapter 190: Chapter 190: The Road to Silverpaw
RAMON’S POV
"Where are you going, Ramon?" Liam asked the second I tried to open my car door. His voice carried that familiar mix of concern and stubbornness that always made me pause.
I turned my head to see that he had been following me all along, his footsteps quiet but determined on the gravel.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my hand still on the door handle.
"Asking where you think you’re going?"
I gave him a once over, as I frowned. The morning light caught the strong lines of his jaw and the steady set of his shoulders. Liam had always been the kind of man who drew eyes without trying. Tall, handsome, with an easy confidence that made young maids blush and older women smile with approval. He carried himself like someone who knew exactly who he was, and right now that quality made the knot in my chest tighten even more.
"I didn’t know I answered to you now. Don’t forget my friend, you’re in my pack," I warned, my voice low but edged with irritation.
"Cut the bullshit out, Ramon. Where are you headed? Shouldn’t you be around in case news from the seven kingdoms arrives?" He asked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the car.
"That’s why I have a beta. He can handle it."
I opened the door, and went into the car. I sat when I heard the other door open.
Turning to my side, I saw Liam lower himself into the seat, his long legs folding with practiced ease.
"What are you doing?" I asked, gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary.
"Well considering that the last time you left the pack hastily without telling anyone where you were headed, and ended up being surrounded by spiteful wolves, I think I should follow you," he explained, his tone matter-of-fact but laced with that protective edge he had always shown, especially when it came to Sonia.
His explanation sounded logical in my head. I just didn’t want him to come with me.
Things were already awkward enough as they stood.
I couldn’t take him coming along with me, and watching Sonia actually say she had chosen me.
That’s if I even make it into the pack in one piece.
"Is it Silverpaw? Are you going to Silverpaw to get Sonia?" He asked, his voice softening slightly.
"Nicely deduced," I replied, starting the car. The engine roared to life, vibrating through the seats.
"Are you sure?" He asked, buckling his seatbelt with a click.
"I’m sure that I want you out of the car."
"No!" He shook his head. "Even though my mother is involved in this mess too, Ferins is also fucking with me. You know me, Ramon. I don’t bother anybody, so I hate when I’m being fucked with."
That almost made me smile. He was right. He did hate to feel like he wasn’t in control.
Which alpha didn’t? Along with our strength, it was our pride that made us the leaders we were.
"Fine, but you can’t talk me out of it. If we make it into the pack, I see Ferins, and decide that I just don’t want to see him breathing again. You can’t stop me."
"Is that before or after Wolf defends his father?"
I scoffed, and hissed. "I’m not afraid of wolves. I’m an alpha," I declared confidently, though the words felt heavier than they should have.
"And Jack was one too. See how easy it was to kill him?"
"Well that’s Jack."
I started the car, and drove out of the pack, the tires crunching over the gravel road.
"Hey, what are you going to do about Lorena?" He asked on our way, his gaze fixed on the passing trees.
"I don’t want to talk about Lorena. Not when I’m going in search of Sonia."
"So why are you going in search of Sonia, if you have Lorena?" He asked, his tone careful but probing.
I sighed in frustration. He was doing this on purpose. He had to be doing it on purpose.
"She’s my mate. I literally can’t stop my wolf from going to find her," I defended my actions, my hands tightening on the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white.
The air became thick with silence. He didn’t respond, but his silence was louder than words. I could feel him watching me, that steady, protective gaze that had always been there for both me and Sonia.
"What?" I asked when I couldn’t take the silence anymore.
"How long until you admit you love her?"
"Oh shit, not that again."
"What? You know it’s true. She has gotten under your skin. And why wouldn’t she? Look at her face. If the moon goddess gave me someone as beautiful as that for a mate, you’d never see me in your pack, ever again."
"I’m glad you’re confessing your true feelings. And don’t you think that joke is in poor taste, considering—"
"Yeah, right. My mother and Ferins are trying to set me up with Sonia. How crazy is that?"
"It’s Ferins. He must know your pack was where I grew up. That’s why he’s doing this. I’m just more surprised at your mother. She should know better."
"I know. But ever since I became alpha, she has been worried. She thinks Mason would be able to take my position if he gets his mate first. It’s why she’s practically forcing me to get a Luna," he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"And it has to be Sonia of all people? You know I can’t let that happen, right?"
"You don’t need to tell me, I won’t let it happen either. I promise."
I shook my head, and returned my full attention to the path ahead. The road stretched long and winding, the trees blurring past as I pushed the car faster.
It was afternoon when we arrived at the borders. The sun hung high, casting sharp shadows across the cleared land between territories.
Unlike my trip to Jack’s pack, I wasn’t going to force my way into Silverpaw.
Not only was it dangerous, it was also stupid.
If they want me in, they’d have to come get me.
I stopped the car, and we came out. The air here felt different, heavier with the scent of unfamiliar wolves and old rivalries.
One of my wolves patrolling the roads walked up to us the second he sighted us.
"Alpha Ramon, alpha Liam," he acknowledged the both of us, bowing slightly.
"How are you doing, Drey?" I asked, my voice steady despite the tension coiling in my gut.
"I’m fine. It’s been a quiet day. The Silverpaw warriors haven’t attacked. I think it has something to do with the rumor about you killing Jack, alpha Ramon. My fellow comrades are all proud," he said, a note of respect in his tone.
"That’s great to know. I’ll just wait here. I’m certain I’ll get what I want when they sense I’m here."
"Alright alpha. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to signal for my attention."
He said goodbye to us, then crossed the road, and returned to the borders.
"It must be hard for them. Always fighting," Liam said, leaning against the car with his arms crossed.
"Isn’t that why they’re trained warriors?"
I had just spoken, when a car rolled in front of ours, and stopped.
"He’s back!" Jed said, jumping out of the backseat with his usual energy.
"Keep it together, Jed," Seth muttered, as they walked up to me, their steps measured and cautious.
I liked how they were always on time. It wasn’t lost on me that it was because they had eyes everywhere.
"We’ve been waiting for you," Seth said, stopping in front of me, his expression guarded but not hostile.
"Really? So you have Sonia?"
"We do," he replied more honestly than I expected, his voice steady.
"Where is she?" I asked, my heart rate picking up at the mention of her name.
"Sorry alpha. You can’t ask us questions. You have to direct all of your questions to my father. He wants to see you," Jed said, his grin sharp but not unkind.
My wolf jumped in excitement. This was going to go two ways.
I would either get to see Sonia, and leave with her, or me and Ferins would finally have that long awaited conversation, with our claws.
"Take me to your father," I said confidently, turning on my heels.
