3 Chapter 3 : Accepting a New Path

Clara’s POV

I was burning with curiosity about who he was.

He moved with precision, and as I watched him, I couldn’t help but notice every ripple of muscle on his toned body. There was something about him that suggested he was important—but I wasn’t sure how important.

He watched me so intently, seeming to notice every move I made. I felt so small beneath his gaze.

As he finally took a seat in the arm chair across from me, I couldn’t help but get a whiff of his scent. The smirk upon my face let me know he noticed.

Sonny.

His name rolled off the tongue. I had to think for a moment why that name sounded familiar, but, for some reason, I couldn’t put my finger on it.

His eyes seemed gentle…. But looks could be deceiving.

Mate or not, he was part of their pack… and they were nothing but killers.

“So, where did you come from?”

Sonny’s question caught me off guard.

“Um…” A memory drifted into my mind, and then quickly left. “Well, my pack was taken out a long time ago… I don’t really have a home anymore.”

I heard his breath hitch.

“Taken out?” he repeated.

“... They were killed,” I admitted dully. “Look, I appreciate everything you have done for me, but I think I should go. I don’t want to cause you any problems.”

Sonny leaned forward, with his elbows on his knees. “Why don’t you stay till you're better? You’re not exactly in great shape to travel.”

His words stunned me. Was he asking me to stay in this cabin—or to live with his pack?

“I don’t know if I should…”

He chuckled. I hesitated for a moment, but then persisted.

“I come with too many issues…”

“We all come with problems, Clara. Still, there is no point in leaving while you're tired, hungry, and in pain. Just rest here, and when you’re better… If you want to leave, you can.”

“I am pretty tired…” I had to admit, I felt comfortable on his sofa wrapped within the blankets.

“See, you should stay. You’re safe here.”

The fact that he said I was safe made me want to laugh.

“Can I tell you a secret?” I asked.

“Of course,” he replied as he leaned back into his chair with a smile. “What you tell me stays between us. I’m here for you.”

At his words, I felt a swooping sensation in my gut. I swallowed and moved forward with what I’d planned to say.

“Well…part of me has always longed to be a part of a pack again, Sonny.” I looked down. I couldn’t help but fidget with my hands. “I’ve been on my own for so long, and I guess a part of me was hoping that I could meet the Alpha of this pack. That, maybe, he would let me stay. I just hope I didn’t blow my chance, leading that rogue here.”

“It’s okay,” he said. “Maybe we can get him to let you stay, if that’s what you really want. I know I want you to.”

His simple statement made my heart swell.

“Thank you. I would really like that.”

“Oh, by the way… one of the guys found this for you.”

Sonny pulled out my backpack and slid it over towards me. I grabbed it immediately.

“Thank you… I didn’t even remember where I had dropped it. I really appreciate it.”

“It’s not a problem. Don’t worry about it,” Sonny replied. “I think I’m going to head to bed. Busy day tomorrow. You should get some sleep, as well. Tomorrow, we can talk about other things.”

Sonny stood to his feet from the chair. Hesitating for a moment, he slid his hands into his pockets, and stared at me. As I gazed up at him, I noted a glint in his eyes.

The gaze we held made my breath hitch, and I wasn’t sure what was coming next. Was he going to touch me? Maybe kiss me?

After a moment, he broke the contact and walked towards the bedroom. I found myself slightly disappointed.

“Good night, Sonny,” I said.

He stopped in his tracks and turned his head to look at me once more.

“Good night, Clara.”

His tantalizing voice sent shivers across my skin.

As the door closed behind him, I let out a sigh. I couldn’t deny what was happening.

Was this how it really felt to have a mate?

I heard his footsteps from beyond the door as he shuffled across the floor, and then the creak of a mattress as he settled on his bed. Then silence.

Now, I was alone.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled the one thing out of it that reminded me of home.

It was a small golden locket that my mother had given me when I was little. My fingers brushed over the cool material, and a tear threatened to fall from my eyes.

No. You can’t cry here. Pull yourself together, Clara. This isn't who you are.

Maybe things could be different here, with him…

He didn’t seem to be the type to kill for no reason or hurt someone without cause. He could have let that rogue kill me, but yet he didn’t.

It was said that time could heal all things. For the longest time, I believed that. That my heart would heal, and the pain would get easier.

However, as time carried on, that didn’t prove possible. My thoughts just never stopped, and the nightmares continued on.

Inner conflict filled my mind as I stared up at the ceiling, trying to get comfortable. I let the gold chain of the necklace roll between my fingers.

I knew I had to figure out my situation, but my mind fogged over with the stress of the day's events—and, I had to admit, a warm flush at the thought of the man on the other side of the door.

I could feel sleep creeping up upon me, and knew that it wouldn’t be long before I welcomed it warmly.

***

Clara, listen to me.

The crack of a beam, the crackle of fire.

I need you to run. Can you do that for me?

Racing past trees, tripping over roots… Howls out there somewhere in the dark undergrowth…

Be strong, Clara. Be strong and live.

Shouts, screams—the sight of the nursery turned to ash—

Sweat pouring from my body, I jolted out of sleep.

I had been dreaming, but the memory of my mother’s voice screaming at me to run still shook me…

I never heard her voice again after that day.

Letting out a sigh, I sat up on the sofa—and started when I noticed Sonny sitting in the armchair across from it, watching me.

He hadn’t said anything at all. He just sat there with a look on his face as if he was contemplating his next move.

“You had a nightmare,” he stated firmly.

Was it that obvious?

“… Um… yes. Sorry if I woke you.”

“I rarely sleep long, anyways. It’s not a problem.” He paused for a moment before saying, “Can I ask what you were dreaming about?”

“It’s nothing,” I said quickly, wanting to avoid the conversation.

“Nothing, huh? Sure didn’t seem like nothing… But if you don’t want to discuss it, that's fine.”

He rose to his feet and walked over to where I was sitting on the couch.

“Here… take this,” he said, holding out his hand. “It will help you relax so you can get some sleep.”

I reached out a hand, and he dropped two small pills into my palm.

What, was he trying to drug me?

“I really shouldn’t.”

“It's a pain reliever.” He chuckled, turning from me. “It will help numb the pain so you're comfortable. I wouldn’t give you anything bad.”

I felt my cheeks redden. Pain reliever… of course it was… I had to stop being so paranoid. Acting like this was going to make them suspicious of me.

“Clara…”

Every time he said my name, it took my breath away. There was a calmness to the way he spoke, and I wanted to hear him say it again.

I raised my eyes to his, and he held my gaze.

“Yes?”

“I am going to set out in the morning to talk to the Alpha about you joining the pack.” He kneeled down to be level with me, and brushed a strand of my hair from my face. “If you wake up, and I am not here… Promise me you won’t leave. Promise me you will stay here.”

I wasn’t expecting him to ask for that promise. He was serious about wanting me to be here.

If he really was going to petition the Alpha on my behalf, then maybe I should play along. Maybe he could be beneficial for me, after all.

“I promise,” I replied.

My words caused him to smile.

Two words that held so much power, and I wanted to keep to them. Even if part of me wanted to run before things got even more complicated.

How did he have so much power and control over my emotions?

I watched as he stood to his feet; the smile never leaving his face.

“Get some sleep, Clara,” he replied as I laid back onto the sofa. I felt safe in that moment, and it was a feeling I hadn’t felt in some time. “I will stay with you until you drift off.”

Nodding my head, I watched him walk back towards the armchair and take a seat.

Never once did he try to make advances on me; he had barely touched me. What kind of man was he?

I felt my eyes become heavy, and my heart began to calm. His eyes on me were the last thing I saw before I fell into the blissful darkness that awaited me.

Rest it was, then. At least for now.