Chapter 20 CHAPTER 020
Stone POV:
I kept going in and out of consciousness, my vision hazy and blurry. Despite my efforts to hold on to what was left of my sanity and consciousness, I kept slipping out of it. My wolf wouldn't listen to me everytime I tried to keep it in check.
I knew it. I should have taken my pills before going to check on Ari. Fucking mate bond! How can a nobody like Ari have so much control on my wolf than I do?
A growl escaped through me in my half conscious state. The fucker was mocking me.
"I swear to Luna if I get a hold of you?"
What? Am I going to rip myself apart? I was still talking to myself when I heard shuffled footsteps. My wolf was still present but I was kind of conscious at this point.
The bright light came on and I felt a shooting pain up my temple. "Gargh!"
"I brought her, your Highness." That was Perri talking. "Would you like to test your theory now?"
Another ripple of growl cut through my throat as I saw her step into the light, looking as frail as ever. Her pale face had gained more colour and her eyes popped like gemstones under the morning sun. Seeing her made me feel like a bucket of ice water was being poured on my body. Except I could really feel the coldness and relief as my wolf retreated.
My fangs and claws retracted and I almost fell to the ground if I hadn't held on to the wall.
Reality hit me and I felt anger and frustration begin to well up inside me. I wanted to wrap my hands around her throat and make her spit out what spell she had me bound in to have such control over me. Was she a witch in disguise?
"Are you okay?" Her soft voice dissolved all my anger and it roused another wave of frustration in me.
"Get her out of here." I commanded without looking at her.
"Your Highness, are you sure? I thought you wanted to see her. To test what you said about her having an effect on your wolf." Perri answered before stepping in. "Looks like you were right."
I turned around, grabbed the shirt and pants that had been neatly folded on a nearby table and began to get dressed.
"I never said anything like that now, did I?"
A beat of silence. "No, you did not."
Finally dressed up, I turned around, holding the reins of my control once again. I would get back to using my pills like I always have to keep my wolf in check. Luna forbids I mate with a woman who hates my guts and would rather die than go to bed with me.
I'll stick to my pills while she enjoys goading me.
"Prepare my car. I've got a meeting to attend."
I moved past her but her voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Are you talking to me?"
The audacity. I clenched my hands and exhaled slowly before turning to respond. "Who else lives under my roof and is subject to my mercy? Of course, I am talking to you, Ari."
She didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the ground as she fiddled with her gown.
"What happened, Ari? Are you suddenly back to disobeying my rules? Did the stream teach you a great lesson?"
Her lips trembled and I felt my muscles tautened as a result. My wolf was panting loudly within me. I dug my nails into my palm to keep me from going out of control.
"I didn't know you didn't need me to be here while you were having an episode. Doctor Perri said you wanted to see me." She finally said.
I contemplated my answers and finally decided to reply. "I don't need you for anything. Now go back to your room till I'm back. I'll decide what to do with you tomorrow."
She nodded and bowed her head. "Yes, Alpha."
Not wanting to see anymore of her face, I left the cage, prepared to face the day. Perri followed closely behind me.
"I thought you said it was her..."
"Don't push your luck, Perri. Your work here is done. When I need another refill, I'll let you know." I snapped before getting behind the wheels.
The drive down to see a friend of mine who stays in a neighbouring pack lasted a couple hours so I took the time to light a cigarette and let my thoughts wander.
Was it really Ari that was the final answer? Why didn't the universe choose someone else? Maybe someone from Ricko. Perhaps, one of the strippers in the pack would do. That reminded me of the famous club in Greenie pack that I always attended with Rob. I could attend that to get Ari out of my head.
She was getting harder to push out of my mind these days. Especially with my wolf constantly yearning to be around her. My wolf needed to understand that it needed to listen to me and not the other way around.
When my car finally parked at the palace, I looked up and saw Rob in his fashionable embroidered robe. His shoulder length black hair pulled together into a man bun and his moustache adding a matured look to him.
Since he got his mate, things had been different with him.
"Hey! Welcome to Greenie, Alpha Stone." He greeted with open arms and the biggest smile.
Behind him was his mate in a gown and a baby in her arms. I almost scoffed at the possibility of that being Ari with me. Impossible is the word.
"I'm glad I came, Alpha Rob."
"Why are you here, anyway?"
I glanced towards her and then back at Rob before digging my hands in my pockets. "Can we discuss in a private place?"
His smile turned sour before he nodded and flashed his mate a look that she understood immediately. She left the living room but not without giving me a wary look.
"Out with it!" Rob snapped me back to reality.
"It's gotten worse." I confessed, a hard lump pushed down my throat. "The transformation. I can barely hold down my wolf. It's almost like I just got it."
Rob sighed but his smile came right back on his face. "We are going to need a drink for this discussion, right?"
"Right."