CHAPTER EIGHT: MOVING IN

SAGE'S POV

I stared at Dante in shock, my mouth slightly open. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Even as I asked the question, I already felt like I knew the answer. I had to move in with this asshole and the thought of that made my heart beat way too hard.

He ran a hand through his dark hair and let out a slow breath. “It means you would have to move into the pack with me. Into the mansion. You cannot stay in the city anymore.”

He turned toward the car like the conversation was already over and I stood there frozen for a second, my pulse hammering in my ears.

Determination rushed through me and I rushed after him and climbed into the back seat. The door slid shut behind me and the moment the door closed I turned to him, hoping I could make him see reason.

“Why can't I just stay in the city where I was? It would be too much work to start moving all my things. I have my apartment, my stuff, everything is there.”

Dante's eyes stayed on his phone and just when I thought my words had landed on deaf ears she answered. "That's never going to happen, you're moving in."

His voice was firm leaving no room for argument. My hands slowly grew moist from anxiety, I could do this. There was no way I was going to leave my entire life and come stay with him just because he had a baby in me.

It was my baby too. My body.

"Think about it. Having a random pregnant woman show up out of nowhere with you would look weird to the council and everyone else,” I said, my words coming out so fast you could practically hear the desperation.

“They would ask questions. It would cause problems for you and your precious pack.”

Dante finally turned his head toward me, his face so bland I couldn't even guess the thought behind it. “Then we could get married instead if you are so scared about what they would have to say.”

The words hit me hard and I knew my face must have shown it because a small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

He looked satisfied, like he had won something, and I wanted to wipe it off his face. Goddess, I would have done anything.

I shook my head quickly, rage bubbling through my chest. “I would never marry someone like you. You are a criminal for using my body as a breeding machine. That is all this is to you.”

As if it couldn't get worse, the weight of everything; putting my life on pause, moving in with a stranger, and pushing a whole child started to slowly dawn on me.

My vision slowly grew blurry, burning with tears. Not wanting him to notice I simply turned around staring at the window as the tears dropped.

I was strong, or at least I tried to be, so I kept my shoulders straight and blinked hard, refusing to let him notice how much this was breaking me.

The car rolled to a stop in front of a large mansion, it looked expensive but very cold just like him. Without waiting for anyone I stepped out heading towards the large doors when he called out from inside the car.

“I will have my men ready to take you back to the city tomorrow so you can pack your things.”

My feet froze but I made no effort to talk to him, heck I didn't even turn around. Taking in a deep breath, I resumed my walk, my feet suddenly feeling heavier.

Inside the mansion, I got lost almost immediately. The hallways were long and beautiful, with high ceilings and expensive lights, but I had no idea where anything was and I could barely remember how I had gone out in the first place.

My mind was too foggy to focus and just when I thought I might break down in the middle of the nth hallway, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

My shoulders stiffened but it all faded when I turned to stare at a maid. "Hi there, so I was told to show you to your room?"

Too sad to talk I simply nodded following her up another flight of stairs and down another hallway until she stopped in front of a set of double doors.

“Here it is,” she said softly. “If you need anything at all, just let me know. I will be right outside or you could use the telecom.”

She opened the door and stepped aside so I could enter. The room had the prettiest decor I had ever seen with mostly white and purple accents.

The bed was huge, with soft-looking pillows and a thick comforter. There was a sitting area near the window, a large wardrobe, and there were two doors staring at me and I didn't need anyone to tell me what was behind them.

Everything looked expensive and carefully sort out that for a minute I was scared to touch anything. The maid left, closing the door gently behind her and slowly walked towards the bed.

I sat on the far edge of the bed, taking in the large room, my favourite flowers were placed in a pot at the window,and with the effort put in, I should have been happy.

But I couldn't seem to mutter a positive emotion. None of it excited me; instead, it all felt like a fancy prison. A very expensive cage I could not escape.

My face tightened into a pained expression and the tears I had tried so hard to push back turned into a hard sob.

At first, it was quiet, but then it grew stronger. My shoulders shook and I pressed my hands over my mouth to try to keep the sound down.

I couldn't tell how hard I was crying but I didn't even notice anyone had stepped in until arms wrapped around me from the side.

I jumped a little before I realized it was Crystal. “Shh, Sage. It is okay. I am here,” she whispered, pulling me closer.

“I am going to have to stay here with a monster like Dante. How am I supposed to do this? I cannot breathe in this place.” I cried out, leaning into her warm body.

"Well, at least he's shaped like a Greek god. Can't be that bad," She joked obviously trying to lighten the mood but once glare at her was enough to let her know I wasn't in the mood for laughs.

“Okay, stop crying now. Come on, Sage. Look at me.” I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and tried to catch my breath.

“I cannot stay here alone, Crystal. I might just run mad in this big house with him watching my every move.”

Crystal stared at me in confusion for a second, then her face softened. "You think I was going to let you stay in this palace alone?"

My brows furrowed in confusion, and as if reading my mind she answered. "The maids already showed me to my room. I'm staying with you.”