Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Bitter Taste of Hope
SONIA’S POV
The kiss grew hotter, and I threw my hand around his neck, so he could draw me in some more. My fingers threaded through the hair at the back of his head, soft and slightly damp. His lips were warm and demanding, pressing against mine with a hunger that made my knees feel weak.
The archival room smelled of old paper and dust, but all I could focus on was the heat of his body close to mine, the way his chest rose and fell against me. For a moment, the world outside disappeared—no fire, no punishment, no Lorena. Just us.
But contrary to my expectations, he paused, and pulled me away. His hands gripped my shoulders firmly, creating distance between us. The sudden cold air rushed in where his warmth had been, leaving my skin tingling.
I looked up in confusion, wondering what I had done for him to suddenly disengage. My lips still felt swollen and warm from his kiss, and my breath came out shaky. He began to wipe off his mouth with the back of his hand, the movement quick and almost angry. I felt even more defeated. My wolf slumped inside of me. She was just as disappointed as I was, a quiet whine echoing in my chest.
"Leave," he said, after wiping off his mouth. His voice was rough, like gravel under boots.
My mouth opened up to ask for an explanation, but I couldn’t produce any word. What right did I have to question him? Like a fool, I had fallen for his charms again. There was no point being said, because it would happen again, and again. I had lost the ability to self-control, especially around him. He was my undoing, and it was fatal. The realization sat heavy in my stomach, making it twist painfully.
"I said leave," he repeated between his teeth. His jaw was clenched tight, and his eyes had gone dark again, cold and distant.
I watched his hand fold into a fist, and my heart skipped a beat. He really was going to hurt me if I didn’t leave. Every trace of desire had vanished from his eyes. The replacement was disgust that trumped every other one he had shown me before. It was deep and raw, like he couldn’t stand the sight of me anymore.
I didn’t understand what changed so swiftly, but this was my cue to leave. My legs felt heavy as I moved, each step echoing softly in the quiet room. Bowing my head, I turned around and walked out of the room. The door clicked shut behind me, the sound final and cold. The hallway outside felt longer than before, the wooden floor cool under my bare feet. My yellow dress brushed against my legs with every step, but it brought no comfort now.
I didn’t know where to go now. Although I could remember the path to the house Alpha Ramon said was my new home, I didn’t know if it was the best place to be. The thought of sitting alone in that empty space made my chest feel tighter.
However, after walking dazedly for a few minutes, I realised it was the safest option for me. It was best that the alpha couldn’t so much as perceive me. To do that, was to get as far away from him as possible. My footsteps sounded small and lonely in the quiet corridors, the faint scent of smoke from the earlier fire still lingering in the air.
I made it out of the quarters in one piece, and was on my way to the intersection, which led to the turn I would take to the house, when an awful scent stopped me dead in my tracks. It was sharp and cloying, like too-sweet perfume mixed with something rotten underneath. There was only one person that projected that kind of scent when they wanted to cause me misery.
I didn’t have time to prepare myself for her stinging words, as she stepped up to me. Her presence felt like a shadow falling over the path, blocking the sunlight.
"I see Ramon is done with you," she said, giving me a once over. Her eyes trailed from my face down to my dress, slow and mocking. "What did he want from you?" She asked, a hint of envy in her voice. It was sharp, like a hidden blade.
In a way, I pitied her. As much as I was afraid of her, I also felt sorry for her. It couldn’t be easy loving a man that was fated to another woman. The jealousy in her eyes was raw, almost desperate.
"Nothing," I replied. My voice came out quiet, barely above a whisper.
The maids she always walked around with behind her scoffed in unison. Their laughter was soft but cruel, like whispers behind closed doors. My fingers began to tremble because they sensed danger. The air around us felt colder suddenly, the sunlight less warm on my skin.
Lorena was dangerous. She was beautiful, but so evil. A heart that was so dark, it would take a forest of light to illuminate it. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and her perfume hung heavy in the air, making my stomach turn.
"Nothing?" She repeated in an amused tone. "You look frightened and disappointed. That can only mean he screamed at you, and put you in your rightful, lowly place," she said, and then cackled evilly. The sound was high and sharp, echoing down the path.
Her minions laughed with her, and in no time, it began to sound like a coven of witches. Their voices blended together, mocking and shrill. There was no deliverance from the wrath of Lorena. As long as I remained in Bloodmoon, I was always going to be a prey to her. The realization sat heavy in my chest, making it hard to breathe evenly.
I had long accepted that fact, and just went with anything that came with it. My shoulders slumped slightly, and I kept my eyes on the ground, counting the small stones in the dirt path.
"You’re so pathetic. You went into Ivy’s room even when you were commanded not to. Do you consider yourself some special healer? I bet you think you’re like your mother. Where did that leave her?" She drew closer to me, and leaned into my ear. Her breath was hot against my skin, carrying the sweet scent of her perfume. "Dead, like the bitch she is."
I swallowed hard, and a hiccup followed. It held back the tears that twisted my lungs, and it was all I could do to stop myself from falling to the ground and weeping. The words cut deep, reopening old wounds I thought had scarred over. My mother’s face flashed in my mind—the one from my dreams, warm and peaceful and it made the pain sharper.
She stepped back, and broke into a feat of maniacal laughter. The sound rang out loud and cruel, bouncing off the nearby trees. "Look at how hopeless she looks. Very hopeless." She pointed at me as she laughed, her finger sharp and accusing.
I just stood there, and took her insults. No matter how disgusting and downright despicable they were, I could do nothing about it. In this pack, I was powerless. Worse than the lowest of the lows. I was the rage doll that could be tossed and turned at will. I was the butt of the joke. I was the rejected stone, but there wasn’t any turn around in my future.
The only thing I could do was hang my head, and that was what I did. At least this way, I could only hear her voice, and not see her face as she laughed at me. The ground blurred in front of my eyes as tears welled up again, hot and stinging.
"Do you know her mother is dead?" She suddenly stopped to ask her maids. Her voice was loud and mocking, carrying easily in the open air.
"No," they echoed in unison, their laughter bubbling up again.
"She died like a dirty bitch. Some say, whilst giving birth to her. If true, technically, you killed your mother. No wonder Alpha Ramon doesn’t want you. Your father murdered his parents, and you killed your mother. You’re from a home of psychopathic murderers!"
"Lorena, that’s enough!" A loud growl thundered, as heavy footsteps approached us. The sound was deep and furious, cutting through her laughter like a blade.
From the corner of my vision, I saw Beta Blane appear before us with a furious frown on his face. His shoulders were tense, and his eyes burned with anger as he stepped between us.
"What do you think you’re doing? What right do you have to talk to her like that?!" He screamed in annoyance. His voice echoed down the path, strong and protective.
She scoffed in retort. "I will speak to her whichever way I want to. If the alpha doesn’t respect her, why should I?"
"Because you seem to forget she’s still his mate. She’s his fated mate, and you’re nothing but a glorified whore!" He threw in her face. The words landed hard, sharp and unfiltered.
My body jolted in shock at his careless words. There was no way he would go scott free after calling the alpha’s lover a whore. He already had friction with the alpha, and all because of me. I seriously feared for his life. I also hated my powerlessness, because I wouldn’t even be able to save him when it was time to be punished. My hands trembled at my sides, the dress fabric bunching under my fingers.
"Did you just call me a whore? Why? Are you upset that the alpha won’t let you fuck the slut anymore? You know now that you’re in love with her?"
He rushed forward with gritted teeth. "I would be careful with the accusations if I were you," he warned, and she went silent. Her smile faded, replaced by a cold glare.
My heart began to pound against my chest. There was no way Beta Blane was in love with me. The thought made my cheeks burn, a mix of shock and something I couldn’t name.
