Chapter 50: Chapter 50: The Taste of Temptation
RAMON’S POV
I stared through my window, watching the day slowly turn into darkness. The sky was shifting from deep orange to heavy purple, like blood mixing with shadows. Soon, the trumpets would start to blare across the pack, and then silence would fall until every Alpha present had gathered around the burning fire on the sacred ground.
They would begin to howl and chant again when I arrived. This was a ritual I used to care nothing about. But tonight was different. Tonight I had decided to make a point. I already knew that in the future, I would be forced to do many things I wasn’t interested in, just so I could keep proving my power.
I hoped more than anything that Fenris would be present. Although my heart had softened a little at the sight of Sonia, it didn’t stop me from going ahead with some of my plans for tonight. They would go on exactly as I intended.
"Come in," I called out even before the knock sounded on my door.
I had heard her footsteps long before she turned the corner to my room.
"At least your hearing still works," Daisy said as she walked in, "because I’m starting to wonder if your brain does." She headed straight for the bottle of whiskey I kept on my table, grabbed it, and started gulping it down.
"You know you’re not drinking water, right?" I asked.
"How about I drink your blood next?" She made a face as the strong liquor burned its way down her throat. She set the bottle aside and stepped closer to me, her face twisted in a deep frown. "What are you doing, Ramon?"
"Chilling in my room until you barged in," I shrugged.
That only made her angrier. She glared at me like she wanted to chop my head off.
"Cool off, pretty thing. Why are you so mad?"
"Because we had a deal, and you’re not honoring it."
"Remind me what the deal was again?"
"Don’t patronize me. I won our bet. Sonia healed Tyler. You owe me, and what I want is for you to stop mistreating her!"
"Who says I’m mistreating her? Do you have proof of this claim?" I eyed her calmly.
"Where is she then? I was with her when she was whisked away. Where did you take her?"
"None of your business."
"Ramon!"
"Shouldn’t you be preparing for tonight? Who did you bring in your entourage? All I see is you walking around by yourself."
"That’s not what we’re talking about!" she whined.
"Well, that’s what I want to talk about," I replied, already exhausted from her constant arguing.
If I was going to listen to her, it would have happened on the very first day she questioned me about this. It wasn’t going to change now just because she said so.
"You’re insufferable! What is wrong with you?!"
"I want you to leave my room. That’s what’s wrong. You have no right to keep winding me up over someone who has nothing to do with you. I don’t believe she’s capable of healing anyone. Can we move on now?"
I could tell she was taken aback for a few seconds. Her brows slanted, and she blinked rapidly.
"If you think this is over, Ramon, then you have a surprise coming for you. I don’t care what you have planned for tonight, but it better not be something that would hurt Sonia."
"Are you threatening me? Let’s say I hurt her—what are you going to do about it?" My eyes darkened, letting her know we could play this game if she wanted.
"I’m not threatening you," she shook her head, but took a fearless step closer. Lowering her voice, she whispered, "You’re playing with a curse, and I’m here to tell you — if you continue down this path, you will be burned!"
She turned around and stormed out of my room.
My hand moved faster than my body. It slammed down on the table with a loud thud. The sound echoed in the quiet room.
What was so special about this one girl that had everyone so ready to defend and protect her?
It was exhausting having to defend my actions, as if they weren’t justified. As if I didn’t have the right to punish her. Even my own.
The door opened, and I lifted my head to see Lorena and another maid come in.
"I have your robe for tonight with me, Alpha," the maid bowed.
I scanned the fabric in her hand. It was high-quality material, the official robe worn by the host of the Festival of Alphas. The dark fabric felt smooth under my fingers when I touched it.
"Place it on the bed," I ordered.
She hurried forward to obey. I could feel Lorena’s eyes on me the whole time. She was probably the happiest person today. Every time we were together, she never failed to mention how I should host the Festival of Alphas.
She needed a reason to get as many new clothes as possible, even if she ended up not wearing most of them.
The maid left us alone, and Lorena rushed toward me.
"All day, I’ve missed you so much because I’ve been helping out at the sacred ground," she said, throwing her body against mine.
I had no choice but to catch her. Her soft breasts pressed against my chest, and her familiar perfume filled my nose.
"I missed you so much. All I could think about was you, and tonight. You’re going to be the best and most good-looking Alpha when you step out."
"Really?" I asked as we pulled apart slightly.
"Of course. I know you’re fully aware of how handsome you are."
She rose on her toes and placed a kiss on my lips.
All I could see in that moment was an image of Sonia. Kissing her had felt like tasting a ripe cherry straight from the tree. She was that sweet. So sweet that one look from her was enough to set my soul on fire.
The more I thought of Sonia and her soft lips, the harder I grew. I knew I had to take care of this need before facing the night ahead. My eyes darkened as I drew Lorena closer. As my lips claimed hers ferociously, all I could think about was Sonia to keep me going.
