Chapter 89: Chapter 89: A Book from the Past
SONIA’S POV
This book clearly belonged to my mother. She directed it to me. But how? My fingers traced the worn leather cover, feeling the faint ridges where her hands must have once held it.
How could she have known she would have a daughter named Sonia? And let’s even say she did, how did Alpha Daisy get a hold of the book? The questions swirled in my mind like leaves in a storm, refusing to settle.
I had not opened it yet, but these questions continued to run through my mind, making my chest feel tight. My fingers began to shake. I didn’t know what I would find if I opened the pages. It could be anything. Anything at all. Memories, secrets, warnings or perhaps nothing but empty pages that would break my heart further.
I quickly placed the book on the bed and rose to my feet. The mattress dipped slightly under the weight of the book, the soft fabric of the blanket brushing against my knuckles. Before I even gathered enough strength to open it, I needed a cold shower and a hot meal. My body still ached from the earlier events, and my stomach felt hollow.
Taking off my clothes, I walked to the bathroom. The cool air kissed my skin as I stepped under the stream of water. It was icy at first, making me gasp, but it gradually helped clear the fog in my head. I scrubbed away the dirt and sweat from the long day, letting the water wash over my face and shoulders. When I returned to my room, the first thing I saw was the book, sitting prettily on the bed like a silent invitation. The moonlight from the window caught its cover, making the embossed letters glow faintly.
My hand stretched toward it, but I quickly withdrew. I had to eat first, then we could talk about looking through its pages. The hunger was too loud to ignore any longer.
I wore one of the night dresses I found in the closet — a simple white cotton one that fell softly to my knees and went to the living room. The fabric felt cool and clean against my freshly bathed skin. As I began to eat, my thoughts went to Blane. The alpha had him arrested, according to Daniel. He probably was regretting helping me right now. If he had known, he would have let me face my fate in peace. The guilt settled heavy in my stomach, making each bite taste a little less satisfying.
I felt really sorry for him. Almost to the point of not being able to eat. But when my stomach rumbled violently again, I began to consume the food. I ate as much as I could, to make up for the times I couldn’t eat. The roasted meat was tender and warm, the bread soft, and the stew rich with spices. After eating to my satisfaction, I covered the rest. I was going to ration the leftovers so it could last for the entire week. It was either that, or starve to death.
I picked up the bottle of water and chugged it down my throat. The cool liquid soothed my dry mouth and helped settle the fullness in my belly. Feeling filled up, I arose and cleared the entire ground. The plates clinked softly as I stacked them, the rag wiping away any crumbs from the table. I was returning to my room when I heard footsteps approaching the door. My hand instantly twisted into a knot in front of me as I worried about who it could be so late. The night outside was dark and quiet, the only sounds the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional call of night birds.
I walked over to the door, and just before I opened it, my heart skipped a beat. His scent radiated around me like a heat wave, and my wolf surged to attention. The familiar mix of sandalwood, smoke, and something uniquely him filled the air, making my pulse race.
With shaking fingers, I opened the door just before he knocked. It was like I thought. Ramon was standing before me. His broad frame filled the doorway, shadows playing across his face under the moonlight. I slapped myself lightly on the cheek to check if it was a dream. But when I felt the sting, it confirmed this was reality. My skin tingled where my palm had landed.
"I’m not going to stay for long, so step aside." His voice was low and commanding, carrying that edge I had come to know too well.
With my heart leaping in bounds, I stepped to the side so he could go through. The room felt smaller with him inside it, his presence dominating the space. He had just chased me out of the archive room, so why was he here? The question burned in my mind as I locked the doors and rested my back against it, facing him. The wood felt cool against my spine through the thin night dress.
"This place smells clean and fresh. It also smells like food. Where did you get food from?" His eyes scanned the room briefly before locking back on me. His brow lifted higher, signalling he was waiting for a response or an explanation from me.
My heart skipped a beat. I should have boiled the lemons so its scent could overcome the smell of food. At least, I would have been able to explain where the lemons came from. His gaze was intense, searching, making it hard to think straight.
I couldn’t say anything that wouldn’t get me into more trouble. The best I could do was state my case and hope for the best.
"I was hungry. I’ve been really hungry. If you’re going to starve me to death, is it fair to surround the house with so much fruit?" The words tumbled out, defensive and shaky.
He squeezed his nose, as his frown deepened. I could tell he could totally see I was deflecting and bullshitting. I did intend to tell him the truth, but I opened my mouth and that was what came out. It probably had something to do with wanting to protect Blane. He had done so much for me, I couldn’t afford to implicate him.
"You don’t have to be honest, I already know what this is. You’ve successfully infiltrated the hearts of the wolves closest to me. Because tell me why I also sniffed Daniel when he was supposed to report to me immediately he returned to the pack?" His voice was calm but dangerous, each word measured.
My heart doubled painfully. He was onto me badly. There was no explanation I could possibly give that would see me out of this situation.
"You’re right. Daniel brought me some food. I was almost dying, but thanks to the food he brought me, I feel alive again." The admission left my lips quietly, my eyes fixed on the floor.
That was it. He had good reason to walk up to me now and go crazy on me. I braced myself, shoulders tensing, waiting for the storm.
"Why didn’t you just say that in the first place? Why did I have to spell out the truth before you gave me a befitting response?" His tone held frustration, but not the explosive anger I expected.
"Because I’m afraid of you. If you haven’t noticed yet, well I just said it. I have to be careful with how I interact with you. If I’m not, you can hurt me." The words came out raw and honest, my voice barely above a whisper.
He blinked successively as if he couldn’t believe his ears. "You’re lying because you’re afraid of me? Shouldn’t that make you tell the truth?"
I realised as I focused on just his mouth, I was heavily distracted. The way he moved his mouth. The way he spoke. Everything was so intriguing. My wolf began to sizzle. I had to remind her it was just the effect of the full moon approaching, but she wouldn’t hear of it. The heat in my veins grew warmer, making my skin flush.
"Hey!" He snapped a finger across my vision, and I jumped. The sharp sound pulled me back to the present.
"I’m sorry," I said, scratching the back of my head. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.
"Why are you so distracted? What are you thinking about? The next victim you’ll use to betray my orders?" His voice carried suspicion again, but there was something else underneath it—curiosity, maybe even confusion.
Damn! He was hellbent on making me out to be this evil mastermind. If half of what he projected on me were even remotely true, I would be long out of here already.
"I was thinking about your lips actually," I blurted out before I could stop myself. The words hung in the air, shocking even me.
"Oh my God!" I gasped when it registered in my head what I had just done. My hands flew to my mouth, eyes wide.
"You were what?" He asked, taking one step forward. His presence grew closer, the heat from his body reaching me.
"Nothing," I shook my head and cleared my throat. "I meant I was thinking about Ivy. And on that topic, how is she? Have you seen her? Has she gotten any better?" My words rushed out, desperate to change the subject.
He clearly wasn’t listening to my explanation, as he began to walk forward. His steps were slow and deliberate, closing the distance between us.
I tried to move back and froze when I realised my back was already against the door. There was no more space to move to. All I could do was close my eyes and pray that even if he struck me, it wouldn’t be unbearably painful. My lips quivered when I felt him within reach.
"I’m rea-lly so-rry fo—"
I felt a hungry mouth on mine, immediately silencing me.
