Chapter 37 CHAPTER 037
Ari POV:
What the fuck did I just do? What happened just now? I kept asking myself if it had all been a dream, getting dragged into the woods by Alpha Stone. My legs still trembled with the aftershocks of his touch, my skin humming where his lips had sucked me. Shame settled comfortably in my gut, tightening around my intestine like a noose around my throat. I’d come apart under his hands like a pouch with loose ends, and the worst part? Some traitorous part of me still asked for more.
Stone stalked ahead of me, his broad shoulders tense beneath his shirt. He hadn’t looked back once since we left the trees, as if my presence disgusted him now that he’d proven his point. My fingers twitched at my sides, aching to scrub the memory of his tongue from my skin. Instead, I clenched them into fists, the bite of my nails grounding me.
The palace gates appeared ahead, their wrought iron spikes casting cool shades across the courtyard. Perri stood waiting at the base of the stairs, her arms crossed, and her lips pursed in that smug, arrogant way that made my stomach plummet. Stone didn’t slow his stride.
"Alpha," Perri called, stepping into his path. "A word, please."
Stone’s jaw ticked, but he stopped. "I still have my weekly dosage of medicine, and I don't remember sending for you."
"You're right, Alpha," Perri replied. "But I've brought a report, and I'm certain it's something you would want to hear."
My heart skipped a beat as Perri's words slithered through the air. What was she trying to tell him? I locked my fingers with my gown, squeezing just tight to feel calm.
"Alpha, while you were... occupied," her gaze flickered to my disheveled state with vicious amusement, "your little stray came to me begging for a seperation surgery. She was willing to risk your life just to sever the bond."
My world became dark as soon as I heard those words. Stone's back went rigid, and his knuckles whitened as they gripped his belt.
Perri leaned closer, her voice dropping to a malicious whisper. "She'd rather watch you die than be your mate."
Stone turned slowly. The look in his eyes was part fury and part hurt and that made my breath hitch. His voice was terrifyingly calm. "Is that true?"
Tears blurred my vision. I opened my mouth, but Perri cut in smoothly. "She even offered to do it discreetly if I didn't perform it."
A muscle jumped in Stone's jaw. Without a word, he strode past me, his shoulder knocking into mine hard. I didn't know why it hurt, considering I never liked him and had no intention of impressing him. But I also didn't want to die now.
Perri smirked as his footsteps faded. "Oh, Ari. You really thought he'd choose you over his throne?"
I wiped my cheeks roughly, looking the older woman dead in the eyes. "You conspiring bi—"
"Does it matter?" She flicked imaginary dust off her sleeve. "He'll never trust you now. So, if I were you, I'd do everything to lay low and stay away from him."
"This is wrong." I shook my head, but Perri only laughed.
"Isn't this going to be of benefit too? For all I know, you've always wanted to be far away from him. Unless you are just a liar and a good performer."
Right. I had told Sierra that I didn't want to be with him.
"This is your chance to make him hate you, and possibly reject you. Grab it wisely." Then, she walked away.
I was exhausted. No, I was going to give up on myself. When I tried to kill myself, I was so courageous. I had it in me to just end it. But now, all I could do was cry.
So I walked over to the side of the palace, where the flowers bloomed and smelled like everything I wished I could be, bright, alive, and free. I crumpled between the hydrangeas, their petals brushing my shoulders like a lover’s fingertips. The damp soil soaked into my pants, but I didn't care.
A twig snapped just behind me. My head jerked up. Harry stood there, the sunlight catching the silver in his belt buckle.
"Go away," I choked out, swiping at my face. "If Alpha Stone sees you—"
"Stone?" Harry snorted, nudging a pebble with his boot. "He hasn't stepped foot in this garden since the last Beta planted these hydrangeas. He said flowers were for weaklings who needed pretty things to distract them from reality." He mimicked Stone’s growl so perfectly I almost laughed.
Instead, I hugged my knees tighter. "Still. Just leave. I would hate to be the reason why your head is hanging outside the pack's gate."
Harry plopped down beside me, ignoring the dirt staining his trousers. "Nah. You look like you’re about to drown in your own snot." He flicked a ladybug off his sleeve. "And I’ve seen enough of your drownings this week. I just can't take any more."
Something about the way he said it was casual, like he was discussing the weather, and that made my chest hitch. "Why are you here?"
"Same reason you are." He plucked a hydrangea, twirling it between his fingers. "Thinking."