Recrudescence

She felt cornered. Why should she explain her actions to her friends? She is an adult. She can do whatever she wants. She doesn't owe them any explanation. However, the intensity of their gazes was nerve wrecking.

“So, you like the wolf now!” Istona said accusingly, “Are you aware it is the same person? The one who drugged you? The one who's still holding you against your will!”

“Oh please, I just said that he made me feel better. Maybe he is not that bad.”

Sonia couldn't help but smile at the memory. Sure the happy vibes of the wolf lifted her spirit, but it was mostly alpha Omar. The pull she felt towards him, how considerate he was not to push her for answers and the much needed space he gave her.

“Yeah, what colour you want the collar to be?” Istona asked.

“What?” Sonia said, frowning in confusion.

“I swear, I will buy you a collar with your name on it, because you are a lap dog. Do you enjoy being mistreated?” Istona looked at her friends in disbelieve. “Can you believe her!”

“She is right Sonia. You can't warm up to him only because you saw another side of him. All of this is wrong. You don't want to be with someone who doesn’t respect your wishes. You can't build a relationship on a wrong basis.”

Lana, for once, agreed with Istona.

Her words were less harsh but still hard to stomach.

“I have to agree here, I know he is handsome and everything, but can you trust him? He is your father's friend. That's a big red flag, if you ask me. A big no no.”

Sonia rose her eyebrows at Zinn. Are they in a little league now?

Istona grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her lightly. “Think Sonia. Your father put you in this situation. He is controlling your life again. Open your eyes! You took his wife out, now he condemns you with an arranged marriage with a possessive alpha, who will never let you go. They will both benefit from the situation but what about you? What about your life?”

A knock on the door saved Sonia from answering the questions

“Don't open the door.” Istonia tightened her fingers around Sonia's shoulders, but lana separated the two. “No, open it. Maybe it's important.”

“Maybe it is the nurse coming to kill you.” Istona mocked, swatting Lana’s hand. “Or, maybe the mighty alpha came to collect his prize?” She motioned in a dramatic way towards Sonia.

Sonia stomped out of the room. An angry Don’t-you-dare-open-that-door reached her defiant ears.

There is a line between legitimate concerns and bullying, and Istona crossed that line.

She opened the door to find alpha Omar, and her heart unexplainably skipped a beat.

”May I come in for a moment, please?”

Sonia looked behind her to find her friends at the door of the bedroom. Zinn was shaking her head, Lana mouthing no and istona making a slicing throat motion.

Sighing, Sonia turned back to the alpha and smiled nervously, “Sure come in.”

He sat on the couch, but Sonia stayed rooted in her place, sending daggers with her eyes at her friends to go back inside.

Noticing that, the alpha rose an eyebrow, and looked behind him to find no one.

“Is everything ok Sonia?”

“Yes perfect.” She faked a smile.

Not fully convinced. He turned back one last time then looked at her again, “I was thinking that, since it is your last night with us—”

“Sorry what?” Sonia was taken aback. Did she hear him correctly?

“Since you are going home tomorrow—” he repeated slowly.

“Yesss,” she said and looked smugly at her friends who were, not so discreetly, peeking from the door, then she sat on the same couch next to the alpha.

“I want you to join us for dinner... as a guest.” he added when he saw her hesitation.

“Ok I don't see any harm in that. But like you said as a guest, a friend nothing more.”

She saw him grinding his teeth. He couldn't help but feel rejected by her reservation. Despite everything he did, she was still holding back.

“Sure,” he said shortly. "I will leave you then to get ready. The dinner is after half an hour.” But he didn't make a move to leave.

An awkward silence stretched between them. He was debating on how to give her the bracelet without risking yet another rejection. She made her opinion clear that she wanted nothing to do with him, but the mark on her neck told another story.

However, he wanted his mate to want him. he hoped the mate bond, now strengthened by the mark, could help him gain her heart.

An enchanting blush covered Sonia’s cheeks. She caught him staring, but he was not apologetic for it. He couldn't get enough of her beauty. Her eyes were mesmerising, he couldn’t look away. It reminded him of their encounter, earlier this day. The moment she lifted her head and looked at his wolf, the sun reflected in her eyes and made them shine like gold. He never saw eyes this colour. It is true that honey coloured eyes were not rare, but hers were a little lighter than usual.

When he looked at them, he thought of the sun and honey combined. Warm with a promise of burn. Sweet but dangerous.

Apha Omar cleared his throat and retrieved a small red box from his pocket. “I have a gift for you. An olive branch of a sort. I know our first encounter didn't leave the best impression with you, but I want to start over, the right way.”

He opened the box and Sonia saw a delicate white gold bracelet with sapphire rocks. It was very beautiful.

Sonia beamed with a genuine smile. “Thank you Omar, that's sweet of you.”

His shoulders sagged in relief, and she giggled at that. It was refreshing to see the great alpha, anxious about her reaction to his gift.

Delighted by her carefree manner, Omar didn't mind that she was laughing at his expanse. How did this little creature managed to steal his heart in this short period of time!

It was very hard for the alpha to convince his body to move, but he forced himself to stand up at last.

Sonia escorted Omar to the door, then turned to find her friends sprawled on the couch.

“Are you dating now?” Istona, the ice queen, asked

“We are not.” Sonia answered rolling her eyes. “It is a dinner with the pack. It would have been rude to refuse the invitation.”

“Sure,” Istona said dismissively, then turned to show her phone to Lana. “So, I found this cute little pink doggy collar with diamond bow pendant. I think it is perfect for a certain someone. And it comes with a leash. Isn't that amazing! We can even customise it with sapphire instead of diamond." She looked back at the screen and tapped in an exaggerated manner “aaaaand sent. Congratulation Sonia.” She sneered.

“Istona stop! you are taking this too far. Just Stop!” Sonia stomped to the room to get ready.

There wasn't much to do. So she brushed her hair and her teeth to extend her stay in the bathroom, and avoid talking to Istona.

When she didn't find anything else to do, she opened the door, ignoring the crowd in the bedroom.

Really, her friends should get a life. Yes it's the weekend but shouldn't they go out and have fun instead of staying here to annoy her all the time?

Sonia headed to the cafeteria with her friends short behind her. She was not talking to them. She was still angry, and she had the right to be.

When she reached the cafeteria, she found all the tables gathered in the middle to make a large table, piled with food. One would think it is a celebration.

Sonia's anxiety skyrocket when she felt everybody's eyes on her.

Pieces of the conversation her friends had, on the way here, came back to her.

“They will hate her.”

“She should have said no.”

She couldn’t help but doubt, maybe they were right.

She was starting to back out to the door, when the ghostly eyes of Omar met hers. He offered her the seat next to him, and she obliged hesitantly.

She looked around. Most gazes were not hostile but rather curious.

The alpha welcomed her with a warm smile she awkwardly returned. His presence was assuring, but the other man at his right was unsettling.

Despite his nonchalant demeanour, she could feel his calculating gaze on her from time to time. The bubbly girl next to him picked at the tense atmosphere and tried to stir conversations with Sonia.

She presented herself as Omar's sister and the brick wall next to her as her mate Ajamu, the beta of the pack.

Sonia was impressed by her ability to talk that much and for that long. She didn't even feel pressured to participate in the conversation. Just a polite yes and a smile here and there sufficed. She was glad for the distraction though.

The table was buzzing with chatter, and laughter could frequently be heard.

Sonia felt like an imposter, she didn't belong here. She was never been the social butterfly.

Stealing a look at the man next to her, she found the alpha oblivious to all her turmoil. He was eating with a good appetite. He was smiling to fellow pack members and asking about their wellbeing. He looked relaxed and happy.

Instinctively, Sonia inched a little towards him, taking strength from his presence, which tugged at the alpha’s heartstrings. His mate is seeking comfort from him.

He looked at her fondly, she seemed cute in that hoodie dress. Though, if he knew it would hide his mark, he wouldn't have given it to her.

He cut the meat in his plate and put a piece in hers, which caused the whole table to fall in silence.

All eyes were now on them, but the alpha continued to eat casually, not giving any explanation.

It was a hint he wanted to drop for them.

His gesture was a typical act between mates, for the male to provide for his female. During the hunts, to offer her his kill, or in human form, to give her his food.

When the alpha didn’t elaborate, the table quickly went back to their chatter while stealing glances towards the alpha and his guest.

Sonia hated the attention she was receiving. She couldn't wait to go back to her room. She thanked the alpha politely and took a bite from her food.

When she looked up, she saw Istona, sitting at the end of the table with a pink leather collar around her neck, attached to a leash that rested on her shoulder.

Sonia's eyes widened, her body stiffened. She couldn’t believe that Istona could go to these lengths. True, nobody knew about the collar's ‘inside joke’, but still, it was uncalled for.

Too embarrassed, Sonia couldn't sit there any longer. She sprang up, and excused herself to leave, not sparing Istona a glance.

“Is everything ok?” alpha Omar asked concerned. Everything seemed great, a moment ago.

“I just feel tired. I am sorry. I need to retreat for the night.” With that, Sonia stormed out of the cafeteria.