SONIA’S POV

My mouth was still hung open in shock when alpha Liam walked up to me.

"Hey Sonia," he smiled at me, his voice warm and friendly as he extended a hand.

I didn’t know if I was supposed to return his acknowledgement, or even smile back. My mind was still reeling from the pregnancy revelation, the words echoing in my head like a bad dream.

But right after, I rebuked myself for having such foolish thoughts.

If Ramon could do however he pleased with Lorena, then I could do the same.

"Hello, Alpha Liam. I didn’t know you were around."

I stretched out my hand to him, and he lifted it to his mouth, and placed a gentle kiss on it. His lips were warm and soft against my skin, the gesture polite and charming.

Through my lashes, I observed Ramon’s reaction. He didn’t look that pleased, his jaw tightening and his eyes narrowing slightly.

Wonderful! He could get as much as he gave.

I didn’t know where that thought came from, but I wasn’t the least bit mad at it either. A small spark of satisfaction bloomed in my chest at his discomfort.

Still holding my hands, he led me to the spot they were gathered, his grip light but steady.

"Where’s Moon?" I asked, looking around the room, my eyes scanning the familiar furniture.

"He fled on hearing the alpha’s voice. It’s kinda unfortunate too. He hasn’t had anything to eat yet," Ivy said, her voice carrying a note of concern as she glanced toward the back door.

Alpha Liam let go of my hands, and returned beside Ivy.

I was a little startled. Not only was she seated amongst the alpha’s, she was also vocal with her thoughts.

I had an excuse, because regardless of how bad he treated me, I was Ramon’s mate.

I just wanted to know why she was always so emboldened, her presence commanding the room in a way that felt both natural and surprising.

"You should sit down, Sonia," I heard Ramon say, his voice low but carrying an edge.

"I should," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

I moved around, and went to sit between Ivy and Alpha Liam, deliberately choosing the spot that put some distance from Ramon.

Ramon threw me a curious gaze, but I pretended not to notice, focusing instead on the table in front of me.

"Ivy has been kind enough to invite us for breakfast," alpha Liam said, his tone light and appreciative.

"Yeah, extremely kind," Ramon said in a sarcastic tone, his eyes flicking toward me again.

I expected Ivy to excuse herself, or at least bow. Instead, she rose to her feet, and began to dish food onto everyone’s plate, her movements confident and familiar.

The aroma was distracting, rich and savory, but not enough to silence my curious mind.

She had to be something very important to Ramon. This had gone beyond normal.

She returned to her seat after serving, and everyone dug into their food, the clink of utensils filling the room.

One two many times, I caught Ramon looking my way, his gaze heavy and searching.

I’d pretend to eat, but go right to watching everyone when he wasn’t looking, my fork pushing food around my plate without much appetite.

I thought I’d be able to eat. I just needed some motivation. But on seeing Ramon, I had lost my appetite.

It wasn’t like before where my wolf tried to rationalise his actions.

She wasn’t present, so I guess I could think clearly, the emptiness in my chest making everything sharper and more painful.

"Could you pass that jar please?" Alpha Liam asked, his hand reaching toward the table.

Ramon and I stretched our hands at the same time.

We touched, but I quickly pulled my hand away, as if his hand was alabaster, the contact sending a jolt through me.

He looked at me with those curious eyes again, but I threw my face to the side, refusing to meet his gaze.

They continued eating after, but I was done pretending.

I just watched them eat, hoping soon they’d be done, and I could return to my room, the food tasting like ash in my mouth.

"You’re not eating. Why are you not eating?" Ivy asked, right after I came to that conclusion, her brow furrowed in concern.

"I’m not hungry," I replied, my voice flat as I pushed my plate away slightly.

"Why? Because Liam is here? You’re too flustered by his presence to eat?" Ramon suddenly asked in an accusatory voice, his eyes narrowing on me.

"Don’t pass on your guilt to me. I’m not you," I replied in anger, my voice sharper than I intended.

Rising to my feet, I stormed out of the room, and walked straight to my own room, my footsteps heavy on the floor.

I was about to bang the door shut, when I felt a heavy hand block my actions.

He shoved me aside, and slid into the room, his presence filling the space immediately.

"What are you doing?" I asked, unable to reign in my irritation, my chest heaving with emotion.

Ramon shut the door, then walked right up to me, his eyes dark and intense.

"Do you have something you want to say to me?" He asked, his voice low but demanding.

"Shouldn’t that question be reversed? You’re the one that should have something to say to me."

For the first time, I didn’t cower. I didn’t plan to either.

I had taken enough from Ramon. The embarrassment, the shame, the physical, and emotional hurt, I just couldn’t anymore.

"You’re being difficult, Sonia."

"As opposed to? Letting you slide off so easily? Do you even listen to yourself when you talk?" I scoffed, and turned towards my bed, my hands clenched at my sides.

"Get back here, Sonia!" He growled softly, his voice carrying a warning.

"Or what? You’ll lock me up in a cell, or worse, ask your beta to have his way with me? Oh wait, it’s nothing you haven’t done before!" I screamed out in total frustration, my voice cracking with the weight of everything I had held in.

I could tell he was completely taken aback by my reaction, his eyes widening slightly.

For the very first time, I had Ramon completely tongue-tied.

I was happy with it too. I wanted him to at least feel a fragment of what I’ve felt in these months in his pack.

"Sonia? Why are you acting this way? If there’s something on your mind, tell me."

He finally found his voice. I expected him to be harsher than that. That was how I knew he was severely guilty.

He knew how bad he had messed up this time.

The nerve to not tell me about the pregnancy, and then went ahead to mate with me.

I thought I could get over it. I thought my promise to him was enough to keep my heart settled.

As it would turn out, seeing him didn’t make things better.

No, it didn’t. It made me just more furious for the fool I’ve been.

And I was so grateful my wolf wasn’t available to blue the lines.

"I just want to be alone," I said, and sat on my bed, my legs feeling weak.

If he couldn’t find the courage to even tell me what he had done, then there was no point in conversing.

"Sonia?"

"Leave, okay? If you’re not going to punish me for being unruly, then just leave me alone, alpha Ramon!" I howled, my voice breaking as tears threatened to spill again.

Startled, he took a step back. I could feel his intense gaze on me, heavy and searching.

"Sonia?" He called again in the most vulnerable of voices, his tone softening in a way that made my chest ache.

I stilled my heart against him. This was just him being manipulative. But this time around, I wasn’t having it.

Grabbing my pillow, I laid on the bed, and covered my face with it, the fabric muffling my ragged breathing.

I didn’t sit up, until I heard the door close behind him.