Chapter 81
SOPHIA’S POV
I kept my eyes closed as Damien drove us home, pretending the moonshine had knocked me out.
My head spun, but not just from the alcohol. I kept seeing Declan’s hand swinging toward my face, and I felt my wolf growling, ready to rip into him despite pack rules. Damien stopping it meant nothing. He was always too late.
I felt something heavy on my shoulders – his coat. His scent hit me, and my throat went tight.
My wolf whimpered, wanting him. It made my heart race faster. I hated that these small gestures still affected me. I hated that some stupid part of me wanted to believe he cared.
“She drank a whole bottle,” Declan muttered from the back. “I’ve never seen anyone do that p>
“She did what she had to do,” Damien said quietly. “To protect you p>
“I didn’t need her protection p>
“Yes, you did.” Damien snapped. “Those wolves would have torn you apart. You insulted them, ran up a huge tab, then tried to walk away like they should be honored. You’re lucky Sophia found you first p>
“She spent twenty thousand dollars tonight,” Damien continued. “Money she probably doesn’t have. She poisoned herself with that moonshine, and you tried to hit her for it. You’re paying her that money back, every bit of it p>
My wolf purred at hearing him defend me, but crushed the feeling down. Words meant nothing when Tiffany slept in his bed.
When we arrived at the manor, Declan ran out fast. I waited, listening to the engine go off.
“I know you’re awake,” Damien said.
I opened my eyes, and I caught him watching me with an expression I couldn’t read.
“How did you know?” I asked.
“Your heartbeat and your wolf…she’s been watching me the whole drive p>
I sat up, shrugging off his coat. My head was heavy, and I gripped the dashboard to support myself. I felt dizzy.
“Careful,” he said, reaching for me.
I pulled away. “I’m fine p>
“You’re drunk. You look like you’re about to be sick p>
“I said I’m fine.” I fumbled with the door handle. “I just want to wash up and sleep p>
I stumbled out before he could argue. I did my best to walk steadily even though the room was spinning. I took a shower when I got to my room. The hot shower helped wash away the bar smell, but when I removed my jewelry at the sink, my finger caught on something sharp.
“Damn it,” I hissed.
It was Declan’s earring. It must have fallen out during the fight and caught in my bracelet. I winced in pain. My finger was bleeding.
There was a knock on my door.
“Sophia? Are you hurt?” It was Damien. Of course, his wolf hearing caught that. “I’m fine. Go away p>
“You’re bleeding. I can smell it,” he said.
The door opened.
“I said I’m fine.” I snapped.
Ignoring me, he walked over and took my hand before I could pull back. His touch was gentle as he examined the cut.
“It’s quite deep. You need a doctor for this. I could take you to the hospital p>
I almost laughed. “I am a doctor, Damien p>
“Right.” He smiled. “I forget sometimes p>
“Or you never cared enough to remember.” I spat, and he froze. I pulled my hands back, ignoring the way they bled out. Looking him in the eye, I said again. “I don’t need a doctor for this wound, and I sure as hell don’t need you to take me to the hospital. You want to know what you could do for me, though p>
“What p>
“Divorce me p>
His eyes narrowed to slits. All trace of the man who had held my hand earlier, the man who’d draped his coat over me, was gone. He started to speak, but the phone ringing in his coat pocket cut him off. He looked from me to it. His expression softened in a way it never did for me when he saw the caller, and he swiped the answer button.
“Hello Tiffany.” His voice went gentle. “How are you p>
Of course. It was her. I looked away.
“I’m good.” Her voice came through the speaker. “Ashley wants to speak to you p>
I looked back at Damien.
“Daddy!” Ashley’s excited voice came through the phone. My wolf whined. “I couldn’t sleep, so Aunt Tiffany and I made the most amazing drawing p>
Damien smiled. “What did you draw p>
“Our family! There’s you in the middle, and Aunt Tiffany on one side, and me on the other! We’re all holding hands and smiling p>
The words knocked the air out of my lungs. My heart squeezed in my chest. Their family? Damien, Tiffany, and Ashley.
I wasn’t in it.
“That’s beautiful, baby,” Damien said warmly.
“Thanks, Dad. Aunt Tiffany and I went to the beach tonight for a vacation. Will you come later p>
Tiffany’s voice came through next. “Yes, Damien darling. Won’t you join us p>
I clenched my fists, still ignoring the bleeding and trying to control my emotions. I closed my eyes and tried breathing through my mouth. My wolf snarled, but I stayed silent.
“We miss you,” Tiffany said
“I miss you guys too,” Damien whispered.
His words shattered something in me, but I pushed the feeling inside. When he hung up and looked at me, the warmth was gone.
“What were you saying p>
“You allowed my daughter to go on vacation with your mistress p>
“Yes. And?” He said it like it was nothing.
“You didn’t think to ask me first p>
“Why p>
“She’s my daughter! She’s MY daughter, Damien! Not Tiffany’s! If she’s to go anywhere with anyone, I have to know p>
Damien was about to respond, but a knock interrupted us.
“Damien? Is Ashley there? I thought I heard her voice.” It was George.
Damien’s expression shifted.
“She’s not here, Grandpa. She went to visit Sophia’s mother for a few days. That’s why she couldn’t come to the birthday dinner, but she wishes you a happy birthday p>
I looked at him in shock. The lie was so smooth.
“Oh, wonderful! My regards to Annette.” George said, and his footsteps retreated.
I stared at Damien, fury flooding my veins.
“Not only did you lie to him, but you also used my mother’s name to cover up p>
“It was easier than explaining p>
“Easier? You dragged my mother into your lies p>
He stood. “You’re being unreasonable p>
“Unreasonable?” I raised my voice. “I’ve spent years being reasonable. Being the perfect, quiet, obedient mate who didn’t complain when you ignored her, who didn’t fight when your family abused her, who pretended everything was fine while you paraded your mistress around! Was I being unreasonable to take a fall for your brother tonight p>
Damien stood back. “I don’t have time for this. Look for something for your finger. I’m out of here p>
“You bastard!” I screamed at his back, but he didn’t turn.