Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Heat of Defiance
SONIA’S POV
I don’t know what came over me. It was probably the same urge that propelled me to want to run.
But as soon as Lorena’s hands drew closer to Ivy’s face, I stepped before her and pushed her hands away.
It was after I did what I did that I came to my senses. The gasps echoing around made me realize I had done something really grave. My stomach twisted tight, and a cold sweat broke out across my back. The morning air suddenly felt heavier, pressing down on my shoulders like invisible weights.
I lowered my head in acceptance of whatever she was going to do to me. My pulse hammered loud in my ears, almost drowning out everything else.
"You dirty bitch!" she screamed, and I held my breath in wait of her assault. My skin prickled with fear, every nerve waiting for the sting of her palm or the sharp yank of my hair.
It never came. On the contrary, thick silence descended the space. The usual morning sounds of the pack faded into the background. Even the birds seemed to pause their chatter.
I released my breath, and perceived the scent that had everyone chilled to their bones. It was deep, earthy, mixed with a hint of sandalwood and raw power. My wolf stirred inside me, restless and alert.
Lifting my head, I saw Ramon. His hands held on to Lorena’s raised ones. His fingers looked strong and unyielding around her wrist, the veins on his forearm standing out from the tension. Alpha Ramon had stopped Lorena, his mistress, from hitting me.
I was going to think too much about that action, but my memory refused to let me. For all I knew, he wanted to punish me himself. My chest tightened at the thought, a mix of dread and that strange pull I always felt around him.
I lowered my gaze again, waiting for him to hit me this time around. The ground felt uneven under my feet, small pebbles digging into my soles through my thin shoes.
Instead of a hit, I felt a hand around my wrist, pulling me forward. His grip was firm but not painful, warm skin against mine sending a spark up my arm. I didn’t have the heart to look up, to see whoever it was doing the pulling. That was what I chose to believe.
The real truth was that I could perceive Ramon. I knew he was the one dragging me away. His scent wrapped around me like a blanket, familiar and intense. Even from the excitement of my traitorous wolf, I knew it was him. She practically hummed with energy inside my chest.
What I didn’t know was the reason he was leading me away. My mind raced with possibilities. Perhaps he wanted to continue from where Lorena didn’t get to stop. Or maybe from his orders this morning. The uncertainty made my stomach flutter.
I was just glad to be walking. That was my silver lining. It would be better to run, but my feet took whatever they could get. At least, it was still some form of motion. The grass brushed against my ankles as we moved, cool and slightly damp from the morning dew.
We suddenly stopped walking when I started to hear the sound of water. It rushed gently in the distance, a soothing rhythm that cut through the tension in my body. I couldn’t resist, so I lifted my head just as his hand on mine collapsed. His fingers slipped away slowly, leaving a lingering warmth on my skin.
It was the other side of the waters that ran through to where Ivy and I stayed. If I could remember correctly, it was the same spot I had taken my bath in my earlier days at the pack. The sunlight danced on the surface, making the water sparkle like scattered jewels. Trees lined the bank, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze.
I looked at him, wondering why he had brought me here. My mind was leaning towards drowning. Yeah, he had definitely brought me here to drown me. The thought sent a chill down my spine despite the warm air.
If that was the case, then maybe I needed to call for Seth. With the waves of the water going back and forth, he was sure to hear me. I could almost imagine his voice responding, steady and protective.
My wolf suddenly kicked against my chest, and I jerked at the pain it inflicted. It felt like a sharp tug deep inside, demanding attention.
"Your wolf is busy today," he said, as I struggled with stopping myself from flinching. His voice was low, almost thoughtful, carrying over the sound of the flowing water.
"Huh?"
"I can feel her," he said. His eyes held mine for a moment, dark and searching.
"Oh."
"Don’t worry about it. I don’t want to drown you. I didn’t bring you here to punish you. I’m just curious about something."
It was my turn to be amazed. When had he ever been curious about anything relating to me? He didn’t even give me a chance when he forcefully whisked me out of my shelter. The memory of that night still lingered, sharp and painful.
"Oh," I repeated, because I didn’t know how else to react to his want. My heart beat faster, a steady thump against my ribs.
"Why did you do it?" he asked. He stood tall, his broad shoulders blocking some of the sunlight.
"Do what?"
"Why did you step in to protect Ivy, knowing you would get in trouble. Knowing she’s just a maid."
"She’s my friend. She has always been there for me. And maids are also worth fighting for. They keep every institution afloat with the back breaking work they do. They should be treated no less than the average person."
His eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn’t understand. But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. For a second, something softer crossed his face, like surprise mixed with conflict.
"Your friend that gave you out, said you were a bitch. I think she’s right."
"What have I ever done for you to assume that?" I questioned, completely hurt by that accusation. The words stung deep, making my throat tighten.
I was a lot of things. Maybe slow and a little too empathetic, but I wasn’t a bitch. I don’t even like that word. My cheeks burned with the unfairness of it.
"Do you think it’s your place to question me? Are you trying to get on my nerves?"
My mind was blown away at the sudden switch. Every time, he did this. Every single time. His tone sharpened like a blade, cutting through the brief moment of connection.
I was beginning to notice a pattern. This was his way of keeping his distance. Whenever he felt he was getting too weak around me, he liked to keep his distance by surprising me with his stinging words. It hurt every time, but I was starting to see through it.
It was time I returned the favor. It was time I surprised him too.
"I want to run," I said to him. The words came out bolder than I felt.
He turned sharply, his brow lifting. The movement made his shirt pull tight across his chest.
"What did you just say to me?"
I didn’t know where the confidence came from. It was the same urge that made me want to run. Same urge that pushed me to defend Ivy. It was that same urge that pushed me to start to take off my clothes.
His eyes widened as I lifted the shirt Ivy gave me from alpha Liam over my shoulders, and tossed it to the ground. The fabric whispered against my skin before falling away, leaving me exposed to the cool breeze. My nipples tightened from the sudden air, and goosebumps rose all over my arms and belly.
Stark naked before him, I lifted my chin impulsively. My hair fell loose around my shoulders, brushing my bare back.
The urge to be daring grew even stronger, and I walked closer to him. The grass felt soft and cool under my bare feet, tickling between my toes.
"I said I want to run," I repeated, standing close to him. I could feel his heat. It emanated from him strongly, and saturated the space between us. It was hot, and felt like the portal leading to hell. Hell my wolf longed for.
I don’t know why it only just made sense to me. I was in heat, hence the urges I couldn’t control. A warm flush spread through my core, making my thighs press together instinctively. That meant the full moon was just around the corner.
"I want to run," I said.
I lifted my head to stare directly into his eyes, and noticed his mouth hung open slightly. His breathing had grown heavier, chest rising and falling.
His eyes traced every part of my body. My body became more heated. I felt his gaze like a physical touch, lingering on my breasts, my waist, the curve of my hips. It made my skin tingle and my breath catch.
"Stop it," he whispered weakly. His voice sounded strained, almost rough.
"Stop what?" I replied innocently. "I just want to run."
"Okay."
He took off his pants and shirt, going naked before me. The muscles in his arms and chest flexed as he moved, his skin glowing under the sunlight filtering through the trees. I couldn’t help but stare at the hard lines of his body, the way everything about him radiated strength.
We were both now naked, staring at each other, whilst panting hungrily. The air between us felt charged, thick with unspoken need. My wolf howled inside me, urging me closer.
"Let’s run."
