Chapter 8
The next day
"Don't get too comfortable sleeping like a log just because I announced a Christmas vacation for the pack," Sion said, his voice a low rumble that carried the scent of pine and frustration as he passed her door.
"The vacation is for my wolves, not for famous personalities like you whom I love dearly and always want by my side. We're going to Los Santos tomorrow on an early morning flight."
Safia bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from rolling her eyes. He spoke as if he were doing her a great favor. It had been fifteen days since she'd joined his company, and she hadn't had a single weekend or holiday. Her life was a blur of 4:30 a.m. alarms, rushing through her routine, and being at the Silver Pack head office by six.
"I thought I was your employee, too," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Since I don't seem to be getting any of the 'extra benefits' of being your favorite person."
Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the caller ID, and the fury that flashed across his face was so swift and cold it made her take a small step back.
"Beat him to a pulp," he snarled into the phone. Sion's wolf was on full display. "We're not going to spare him until he gives us the truth. Got it?"
Safia’s blood ran cold. So cruel? This man was a monster, a fact she saw with terrifying clarity every time he dropped his polished façade.
"Why are we going to Los Santos?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, contemplating whether he'd even bother to answer her.
"It's an official tour. Our wedding is only on paper, so don't get your hopes up about a honeymoon," he sneered, turning on his heel and striding toward his room.
If she had the rights of a true Luna, she’d pull his tongue out, cut it into pieces, and throw it in the dustbin. But all she could do was chase after him, her shorter strides struggling to keep pace with his long, confident ones.
"How long are we going to stay?"
"Why? Do you need to stay here to lay eggs?" he asked with arrogance as he unclasped the Rolex from his wrist.
A lump formed in her throat, and this time, Safia couldn't hold back the sadness that flooded her features.
"Don't I need to pack my bag? Why do you always have to take all my questions the negative way?"
"This is how I am. If you can't live with me, I'm not begging you to. You're free to repay the money I paid for your sinking company and walk out of this marriage."
Safia's breath hitched, the terror of his threat a heavy weight on her chest.
"We'll stay there until I finish my deal. The time we return isn't fixed. Now, if you'll allow me some privacy..." He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, and his gaze dropped pointedly to the door.
Safia's eyes, despite her fear, were drawn to the glimpse of his hairy, muscled chest. A hot flush crept up her neck, her wolf surfaced reacting to his primal male presence. How could she be attracted to a man who did nothing but insult her? And yet, despite the terrible way he treated her, something about him held a strange pull. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as harsh as he appeared.
As she walked back to her room, her phone rang.
"Hey, Dad, how are you?" Safia forced a bright smile into her voice, a mask for the gloom she felt. "Guess what? We're going to Los Santos tomorrow morning."
"Good evening, my princess," Soren's cheerful voice filled her ears. "I knew it! It’s your honeymoon, isn't it? See, I told you Sion isn't a bad man. You just have to give him time. Believe me, you two will be a wonderful couple."
Safia pressed her hand to her mouth, stifling a sob. She dabbed at the tears with a handkerchief, letting her father revel in his happiness. She didn't have the heart to tell him it was a business trip, not a honeymoon.
"Los Santos has beautiful weather this time of year. It’s famous for its grapes and wine. You must visit a winery there," he said, his voice full of nostalgic warmth. "They also have a wonderful wine festival. Ask Sion to take you. As a kid, I used to go there often because my grandparents lived there."
Safia could almost see her father's eyes glistening with happiness. She understood now why Sion was going to Los Santos; it was the heart of the wine industry, and he was a wine mogul.
"I hope you've learned a lot about how to get our family business back on track," Soren said cheerily.
"Of course, Daddy. I've learned many important things from Sion," Safia replied, her heart aching. All she'd done in the last fifteen days was schedule his meetings and make his coffee. Layla, his actual assistant, handled everything else. Safia felt more like a maid than an employee. Sion wasn't teaching her anything; he was simply taking his revenge.
The next morning, they were ready at six.
Safia descended the stairs in a white off-the-shoulder dress that reached just above her knees, carrying a matching handbag and wearing white stilettos. For a single, fleeting moment, she thought she saw a spark in his eyes, a reaction her inner wolf was keen to note.
Sion’s gaze swept over her from head to toe, but he said nothing except simply turning and walking to the entrance. Is this man always so devoid of feeling, like a robot?
The driver, a Beta wolf with a polite demeanor, took her bag, placing it in the trunk alongside Sion’s, and held the door open for her.
The drive to the airport was long, and she didn't realize when her eyelids had grown heavy. She drifted into a deep sleep, and in the middle of it, she became aware of a new sensation. She smelled his scent—a clean, masculine aroma—and felt the soft, steady rhythm of his heart beneath her head. A large, warm hand was cupped around her cheek, as if he were shielding her from the world.
Whatever this moment was, Safia never wanted it to end. She snuggled deeper into the warmth, feeling safe and protected, until she was jolted awake by a low growl from someone.
A moment later, she felt a gentle tap on her cheek, followed by a voice calling her name.
When her eyes finally fluttered open, she was met with the fierce gaze of Sion.
"Were you planning to sleep all day like a lazy panda?" he grumbled.
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