CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE WALK TO GRANDMA

SAGE'S POV

I sat at the table long after Dante and Cade left, staring at the large trays of food even though he had long ruined my appetite.

The anger burned hot in my chest, making my fingers tremble. How dare he spring that on me in front of everyone? A ball. Introducing me as if I were some prize he had won.

I wanted to scream, but instead I just stared at the empty chair where he had been sitting, wishing I could throw something at it. I could, but that wasn't the kind of person I was. I was going to make him pay instead.

Crystal stayed quiet beside me for a while. I could tell she was confused but just when I was about to storm out she gently touched my arm. “Come on, let us take a walk. Fresh air might help.”

"The last thing I need now is a tour of this large—" her brown eyes stared at me pleading and I took a deep breath nodding.

She led me towards the garden and slowly my anger faded. I stared at the bright and overly large flowers trying to find some good in them, but nothing came.

I missed my old life so much it hurt. Yes, I had hated dancing at the club because Marcus exploited me every single night, but at least I felt like I had a bit of control.

At least I could go home to my small apartment and feel like it was mine. Here I was just... waiting. Waiting for the baby that I wasn't even sure I wanted to have, waiting for Dante’s next command, and hoping that maybe my life was going to feel normal again.

Crystal must have noticed my head was somewhere else and she bumped my shoulders lightly. "Hey, do you have any idea that might make my resume look better? I really don't want them to phone."

I tried to laugh, but it came out flat. "Okay. I'm done, spill it out. I know Dante's being a dick but he shouldn't weigh you down." She stopped us from moving.

I laughed again, this time trying to push the feelings away. “It is nothing. I am fine.”

Crystal gave me that look she always gave when she knew I was lying. Instead of walking, she just crossed her arms and stared right at me.

The pressure built until I could not hold it in anymore and my shoulders fell as the words slipped out.

“I hate how my life has been flipped upside down,” I said, my voice cracking a little. “Sure, I am trying to enjoy the nice room and the good food, but it does not feel good."

I paused to swallow the lump in my throat. It all felt like I was suffocating and I didn't know what to do.

"It feels like I am playing a role in someone else’s story. Dante is using me like I am just a vessel for his heir. And the worst part is I blame myself. I should have read the contract properly before I signed it. I was so desperate to help Granny that I did not think.”

Tears pricked at my eyes and I tried hard not to break down right there in the garden. "Hey, you can't blame yourself like that. Anyone would have done the same," she whispered, pulling me closer to her.

I hugged her back tightly for a moment, then pulled away to wipe my eyes. “What am I supposed to do now? What if after the baby is born he tries to make me stay? What if he never lets me go?”

Crystal rubbed my back gently. “I do not know, Sage. I wish I had an answer, but I really do not.”

We stood there in silence for a bit until Crystal spoke again, her eyes glinting. “Maybe you should go see your grandma. You have not been able to visit her for the past week. It might make you feel better.”

The idea lit up inside me immediately. I felt a rush of guilt for not going sooner, but also a spark of hope. “You are right. I need to see her.”

I headed back inside and asked the maids to prepare some snacks for Granny. It took longer than I expected and soon I was with a large basket filled with all sorts of pastries and fruits.

"Would you like me to get you a driver, miss?" One of them asked just as I was about to leave.

"Oh..no," I muttered, shaking my head. The last thing I needed was to have another of his spies follow me. "I need some fresh air."

I took the basket and stepped outside. The walk to the hospital was longer than I expected, not that I cared.

The closer I got to my destination the more I noticed the pack's eyes on me. Some whispered, and I could already hear the rumors. My pulse drummed in my ear but I ignored it, putting all my focus on the basket.

A sigh left my lips as soon as I pushed through the double door and I headed straight for the desk nurse.

She had on a brown scrub, her hair tied in a messy bun. “Your grandmother is doing very well. She is in the same room.”

I wasn't sure I could remember the room but I gave her a nervous smile heading for the elevator. After hours of turning, I finally found her room.

I pushed the door open and all the negative emotions vanished in a second. My lips stretched into a grin and I ran towards her.

She looked so good it was almost funny. Her skin had color again, her eyes were bright, and she sat up straight in the bed as if she had never been sick.

“Granny!!

I wrapped my hands around her, hugging her as hard as I could. She smelled like the hospital soap but underneath it was the familiar scent I had known my whole life.

“Look at you, bringing me snacks like I am the one who needs cheering up.” She chuckled, her hand slowly patting my head.

I pulled back and sat on the edge of the bed. “They told me you would be discharged in a few weeks. Where are you planning to stay? Do you want to come to the mansion or—”

Granny waved her hand. “Let it be for now, sweetheart. We will figure that out when the time comes.”

She studied my face for a moment, then asked softly, “What is wrong? You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

I decided against telling her, I was here to check on her and not to weigh her down but the words still found a way out.

"Dante wants to introduce me to the pack at a ball in less than two weeks. He wants me to get a dress and everything."

"And? What did you say?"

"I told him no and it broke into a huge fight," I whispered, pulling at the yarn on my jacket.

Granny listened calmly, which surprised me. I had expected her to get angry on my behalf, but she stayed quiet for a moment before speaking.

“I expected something like this to happen. Not so soon, maybe, but it was bound to come. He is the Alpha. His movements are very monitored."

“So you think I should just do it?” I asked, my brows knitted in confusion.

She nodded gently, grabbing my hands. “Do your side of the contract, Sage. Fulfill your part and he will let you go when the time comes. Besides, it's just a party."

She winked at me and I gave her a fond smile. Hesitation still flowed through me but with one more glance at her, I pulled out my phone.

My hands shook for some odd reason, but I ignored it while typing the text. "I'll do what you asked."

My heart rate increased as I stared at the text waiting for a reply. The text bar turned green, a sign he had read it but no reply came.

Rolling my eyes I switched off my phone and gave granny a small smile. "So...what's in the large basket?"

"I had the maids get your favourites," I pulled out the snack and we ate while she told me all the hobbies she had taken up over the past week.

The cookies were sweet on my tongue, but my mind was still spinning with everything and a certain pair of grey eyes.