Chapter 16 CHAPTER 016
Ari POV:
I hated how close his body was against mine but most of all, I hated how my body reacted to his touch. It was like my mind was being sane and logical but my body was betraying me. His naked body was pressed against my back and despite the robe, I could feel his length poking my ass. Memories of the bathtub filled my head and I began to imagine the worst.
I moved to get away from him but his grip was firm around my waist. Then he began to trail his palm up. I knew then that whatever dignity I had left would be shattered by this man and I'd be holding the baton by the time it was all ruined and shattered into pieces.
"Alpha," I started but my racing heart and heavy breathing overshadowed my voice.
"You were saying?" He nuzzled closer, digging into my hair with his face. "I'm pretty sure you love swimming, Ari. Don't you?"
"Not really."
"Are you sure?" He took a step back. I let out the breath I'd been holding but refused to turn around. "Because my first impression of you says otherwise. Why don't we find out really quick?"
I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Alpha, but I don't."
"Take off your clothes and join me." My stomach coiled at the way he sounded. Could my stay at this pack get any worse?
Slowly, I began to take off my robe. Again, I was taking off my clothes for a man who can decide if I was going to live or not. It would not last long, I told myself. All I had to do was relax.
After the last bit of clothes came apart, I thought I heard him groan but before I could think anything of it, he walked into the stream and whistled. "Come here, Ari. Let's enjoy this view."
Knowing it was entirely safe, I turned slowly, still afraid of what I would be faced with. He was in the water now, waist deep, revealing strong upper body and rippling muscled arms. I couldn't get past the fact that he was appealing to the eyes and Luna help me, he was definitely sexually appealing as well.
I shook the thoughts out of my head. I needed to get my head in the game since it had been confirmed that I had nowhere else to go.
"I'm waiting, Ari." His tone sounded even more fearsome, the bass in his voice rippling through the night.
My legs began to move and with my robe being used to cover the private parts of my body, I entered the cold water. When I was also waist deep, he waved me over.
"I'm over here, Ari. Move closer." There was no humour in his voice so I found myself inching closer.
When we finally met in the middle, I was looking up into his eyes, heart palpitating out of fear and anxiety. It was so bad my breath was coming out in short, sharp bursts. My eyes were roaming all over his face looking for hints to his thoughts and what he was planning to do with me.
"Good girl." He purred before reaching out with his fingers. The way he said it made me quiver. Was it the mockery behind the words or the fact that he made it sound like the best compliment?
He held my chin in between his thumb and index finger.
"Tell me, Ari," his brows pulled together. "Why do you look at me like I'm the worst thing to ever happen to you? But you look at my Beta like he's your saviour. I saved you."
Irritation clawed at my chest. What an arrogant idiot?
"Oh, you naughty girl," he tutted, lowering his face and making me flinch. "Looking at me with that same damn expression. Do you really hate me that much?"
"You're contemplating whether to kill me or not. How else do you want me to look at you?" I saw his frown deepen, so I let my tone soften. "Alpha Stone."
"I love it when you call my name." A ghost of a smile curled his lips and it made the encounter seem even more awkward. Why did he always look more attractive without a smile? "I'd love to hear it without the Alpha someday."
That's if I'm still alive by then. My eyes fell at that thought.
"Don't look so sad, Ari. My wolf hates to see you like that. Left to me, I wouldn't care." His wolf can kiss my ass then. But I wouldn't dare say that out loud. "Do you want to get acquainted with my wolf? Sing to him like you did before?"
I knew I could face anything else but not his wolf. When I first saw his wolf, I knew he was unpredictable. The moon goddess had only shone luck on me the night he transformed and didn't eat my head off. If he transformed right then, I probably wouldn't walk out of the stream alive.
"You're still holding that goddamn robe?" He interrupted my thoughts.
"What?"
He didn't answer. He just yanked the cloth out of my folded hands, leaving me bare in the cold water. I quickly wrapped my arms around my body. I should be enjoying the water temperature but the sudden exposure still sent chills down my spine.
"Alpha, please..."
"What?" He stepped in closer and began to caress my face making me shiver with his touch. "Are you so ashamed to stand naked before me? We will be doing so much more than stand when I'm ready to mark you."
That sent fear spiraling through my veins, but I kept my face a mask of defiance. "I don't want to be marked by you," I spat.
He didn't miss a beat, his eyes flashing dangerously. "But here you are," he said, his voice a low growl, "living under my roof, eating my food, and yet you refuse to submit to me. Why is that, Ari?"
"I didn't want you to. I would have loved it if you ordered for my death," I retorted, my voice shaking despite my attempt to stand firm.
Stone's eyes narrowed, and a muscle in his jaw twitched as he stepped closer, his warm breath caressing my cheek. "Are you sure you don't want this?" His hand lowered to my chest and stopped. I could still feel his gaze on my face but I couldn't bring myself to look at him so I focused on his chest instead. "Answer me, Ari!"
I jumped, tears brimming the edge of my eyes. Slowly, I shook my head, still not able to look at him.
He stepped backwards. "You act like I did you wrong to save your life, Ari. Why is that?" He watched the way my eyes searched for a way to escape. "And why are you so stubborn?"
I gritted my teeth refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer.
Stone's eyes grew darker and he walked past me, the water rippling around us. When he got out of the water, I still refused to turn around.
"Since you don't understand the concept of obedience, I'll teach you. You're not getting out of that water until I say so." I refused to turn still, heart heavy with emotions that seemed to choke up in my throat. "Do otherwise and I'll be forced to move you into my room where I can keep my eye on you."
With that, I heard retreating footsteps before letting the tears flow freely.