Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Sophia's POV
"Try not to worry too much Sophia."
"My father will be fine, right, Kira?"
"I don't know Sophia. I can't contact him through the mind link anymore."
"No... it can't be..."
I sat in the car Ethan had gotten for us. He was just loaded a few things when he leaned over to kiss me goodbye.
I anxiously sat in the backseat holding on to the window hoping Max would hurry.
Max had only gotten the word minutes earlier that someone had poisoned my father.
Darkridge was in turmoil just now and I had to return at once.
As much as Ethan would love to go back with me and be there for me, an Alpha of his power just materializing in the middle of a pack that was chaotic on a normal day, would only make things worse.
I had told him to remain behind and wait at the palace for me, and he had consented, though unwillingly.
But how could my father have been poisoned in his own territory? It just didn't feel right.
Poisoned wine again? Something went through my mind in a flash but I couldn’t examine it too thoroughly.
I could just pray to the moon goddess over and over again in my heart that everything would be all right for my father.
"We're here Miss Sophia. "
I got out at the side of the road I turned off to and rushed out, releasing a low roar and my Alpha aura swept across the pack gathered behind the pack I was now leading, allowing me to move through them without resistance as they bowed in recognition of my power and status.
“Sophia! You’re back at last!” My father’s
Beta, Thorne, greeted me as he stood at the side of my father’s bed.
I rushed forward, nodding to him to let him know I heard him as I moved down to my father’s side in a crouch. He looked appalling.
He was deathly pale and his breathing was shallow.
Tears stream down my cheeks before I can stop them as I raise my head, forcing my mind to stop thinking about what’s happening.
Again, it’s not the time to cry.
“What happened?” I said with red eyes as I looked at Thorne.
Thorne quickly bowed down before me. But now it was the beast’s turn.
“I'm sorry, it's completely my fault! The Alpha drank a glass of red wine at dinner and I didn't think to test it first..”
Fucking poisoned Red wine! Yet Again! This is starting to get really familiar!
“Lila Scott!”
“I’m going to make that two-faced bitch die a very painful death!”
“Thorne, you’re to contact the Alpha at the Shadowmoon Pack immediately and tell him I wish to speak with him.”
"Yes Sophia."
Thorne nodded and bolted to get the call as I clung to my father’s hand.
Just seeing his weak form, I felt my heart break for him.
From time to time you could hear the sound of thorne footsteps coming back "Miss Sophia, there's no need to contact him, Alpha Marcus has already had someone bring him over."
"Damn it! Let's go!"
I ordered Thorne to bring my father’s guards to me and I stormed into the hall with purpose, was surprised by Marcus and that fucking woman posed as comfortable as if should sitting on a sofa in the hall.
Kira roared furiously, obviously in no way could tolerate her presence here, and immediately rushed forward with extended claws, took hold of Lilas' neck.
Marcus was caught off guard by my sudden motion and immediately, with a shiver of unease in my bowels, summoned his own wolf's strength and the two of us battled for me to release her.
Thorne moved to help me take Marcus off as I turned and glared venomously at the slippery little bastards sitting in front of me.
"Lila Scott you hand over the fucking antidote right now."
"What are you talking about Sophia? I don't understand..." Lila said feebly as she hacked and clutched her neck.
She looked like she were in pain but I scolded myself, I should have strangled her until she went the darkness.
"I hope you rot, and die a slow, agonizing death, Lila."
I roared as Lila quickly hid behind Marcus. That man had the gall to face me in his wolf form, seemingly refusing to allow me anywhere near the little bitch.
"Put your claws away Sophia, I came here to talk business, not fight." Marcus said blandly, as he approached me and retracted his claws.
I told Kira to chill out so I could hear what he had to say.
“You had a hand in this, didn’t you.” I hissed angrily.
“Sophia, how can you think of me like that? We were married for three years.."
He attempted to reason with a sincerity that wasnät in his eyes.
“Fuck you, Marcus. My father gets such a suspicious incident like this and you show up all of a sudden? Almost like you were waiting to see the extent of what you had done.”
Marcus gave a long sigh and talked to me like I was a dumb child.
“Of course not, Sophia. I heard the news and immediately sent a witch over to try to help you. She ought to be able to brew an antidote for you."
He gestured to the back of the room and I saw that a woman in a black robe was standing behind them, but she was shaking and looked too frightened.
"What fucking nonsense! Let me tear them off!” Kira shouted in anger.
“Wait, Kira. Let me know when you know what their real purpose is.”
I sneered and scowled at them both and crossed my arms over my chest.
“ Less of the fucking bullshit, okay? Just tell me what you want, Marcus.”
“So long as you return with me, Luna’s place is still yours, and I will ask the witch to help with your father.”
"Is there something seriously wrong with you, Marcus? Have you lost your mind completely?"
I bellowed in confusion on why Marcus was so determined to ask me to return with him and be his Luna.
Annoyedly, I glanced over my shoulder, unsure if my father’s guards would have the upper hand on Marcus’ wolf.
Surveying the crowd behind me, a sudden flash of inspiration hit me.
"Fuck, I know what he wants." They keep coming.
"What is it Sophia?" Kira asked urgently. She’s waiting.
"Marcus doesn’t fucking want me, he wants the Darkridge Pack."
"Fuck! he wants to trade on our name and try and take our land through that."
I chuckled as I gazed upon the familiar yet entirely foreign man that stood before us.
I reflected on how much of my heart I had thrown into our relationship in the past, how much I had loved him, how I had seen his victorious smile when the two packs merged and turned him into one of the most powerful Alphas in the kingdom.
How had I missed this?
"Marcus Blackthorn, on behalf of the Darkridge pack, I lay a war upon you.”
"Announce war on us? What a fucking joke. This pathetic Darkridge Pack, barely holding on with old men and cripples as members, and you think you can bring war against me?!"
Marcus laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke of the year and Lila laughed next to him. Their laughter pierced my chest like a thousand knives, their mocking directed straight into my heart.
They were right, what right do I have to go to war against them? My mother died very young and that left only my father and me.
My father was now on his bed,his life was at stake.
The Darkridge Pack was chaotic internally and there were only a handful that were rock solid loyal, like Beta Thorne and my fathers escort..how could we ever stand against the Shadowmoon Pack with so few men at our packs?
My hands balled into fists at my side my nails digging into my flesh and I was shaking in anger.
"Well, well, well," A familiar voice purred behind me, "It looks like someone thinks he can come down on my mate."
"Ethan!”