Chapter 48: Chapter 48: The Weight of Beauty
RAMON’S POV
I was heading to Daisy’s preparation room first, but I changed my mind the moment I stepped into the passage leading to it. There it was, that damn sculpture I thought I had burned long ago. Seeing it again made my blood boil. Someone had clearly slacked off on their duties.
I spun around and walked back toward the main passageway. I didn’t stop until I was completely out of the quarters. With my hands folded behind my back, I went looking for Ivy.
I found her sitting alone by a tree, staring quietly into the sunset. The orange light painted her face in soft colors.
"You don’t have any regard for your eyes?" I asked from behind her.
"Good day, Alpha Ramon," she said calmly, picking up small stones and throwing them away.
"Who put that stuffed dog in the hallway leading to the room I asked Sonia to be kept in?" I asked in a cool voice.
I figured staying calm was the best way to get the truth out of Ivy. Ordering her usually made her shut down.
"I didn’t," she replied.
My nose wrinkled. I didn’t believe her. With my hands still behind my back, I started pacing back and forth on the grass. The cool evening breeze brushed against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the heat rising in my chest.
"Why are you protecting her? Your family too was caught in the crossfire."
"She didn’t do anything, Alpha Ramon. Her father did. I don’t believe in punishing the sins of the father on the children. If life worked that way, none of us would be safe. It’s not like our parents were saints either."
"Hold it right there, Ivy!" I snapped, stopping my pacing. "You have no right to speak about my family that way. They were good. Everyone testified to that fact. They didn’t deserve to die in such a bloody way."
She finally stood up and turned to face me. "Everyone has a different version of us in their stories. To me, you’re the bravest alpha and the kindest soul I’ve ever seen. To Sonia, you’re a beast."
"Are you trying to say some people don’t consider my parents good? I dare them to say it to my face!" My jaw tightened with pure fury.
"You’re letting Lorena influence you too much. She’s not a good look on you. She’s everything you would abhor if you weren’t on this journey for blood." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"It’s called revenge!"
"No, it’s an egotistical battle. Any more, and we would be finding the difference between yourself and Fenris!" She threw the words back at me fearlessly.
I paused in shock. She had never spoken so sharply to me before.
"Ivy?"
"Ramon!" She called my name strongly, hoping I would come back to my senses.
"Just because you’re my sister doesn’t give you the right to talk to me that way."
"Half sister. Half sister," she repeated in case I didn’t hear. "And please keep it quiet. I would rather no one knows. Like I said before, everyone has a different version of us in their stories."
"If you’re referring to dad—"
"You’re going to defend him for getting my mother pregnant when yours was also pregnant?" She cut in, then followed her words with a bitter laugh.
"Lust is not a moral indictment."
"I’m not going to continue this argument with you. You want to hurt Sonia, and I can’t stop you half of the time. But don’t think I won’t protect her whatever way I can."
"For how long?"
"Until you come to your senses."
She walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Ivy was the one person I trusted to tell me the truth. She was blunt and never held her tongue. I still wondered why she chose to act like a servant instead of claiming her rightful place as my half-sister.
There were things far beyond my understanding, and every time I tried to make sense of them, I just grew more frustrated. But this battle wasn’t one I planned on losing.
I hated Fenris and everything that had to do with him. She wanted to protect Sonia. We were on opposite sides of the divide, and only one person could come out victorious. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
By the Moon Goddess, it would be me.
I turned around with determination and headed for the room.
The sculpture was still there in the same spot. I closed my eyes to the haunting image, pushed my body forward, and kept walking until I reached the door.
I didn’t bother to knock. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
There she stood, right in the center of the room, stark naked. She was tied all over with ropes, like a display. Just the way I should have her displayed tonight.
My eyes moved slowly over her body. My throat tightened. Her skin glowed soft and golden under the dim light. Her full breasts rose and fell with each shallow breath, the nipples dark and tight from the cool air. Her slim waist curved gently into wide hips that begged for hands. The ropes dug into her thighs and held her legs slightly apart, giving me a clear, unobstructed view of her pussy. The soft folds glistened faintly in the low light.
Her head hung forward, chin resting on her chest. She was still unconscious. Her dark hair fell across one shoulder and brushed the top of her breast with every breath she took.
This was the moment I would usually smile. A sick plan like that needed a sinister smile to back it up.
But all I felt was real sickness at the thought of selling her off. I hated that thought. I didn’t want anyone else viewing her body the way my hungry eyes were doing right now.
She was mine. Meant for my eyes alone.
"Why do you have to be so beautiful?" I whispered.
One long finger reached out and lifted her chin. Her face was peaceful in unconsciousness, but her lips were slightly parted, still swollen from our earlier kiss.
"You’re torturing me. Even in your silence, I feel haunted. Who are you? Why have you shown no signs of being the way they say you are?"
I let go of her chin and took a step back so I could just stare at her. She was the most beautiful image brought to life, and I hated that she was part of the one thing I had to hate.
"Daya!" I growled.
A woman dashed into the room and bowed. "Alpha."
"I want her clothed," I ordered, and walked out of the room.