CHAPTER 7

SONIA’S POV.

My eyes fluttered open, and this time, I found myself lying under a tree. I turned to see Michael giving orders to his men. I shifted, placing my hand on my pounding head.

"You woke up just in time," Michael said as he strolled over to me.

I frowned. "What's wrong with you? Kidnapping me is a serious crime, don't you know that?" I hissed.

"Shhhh... cherry," he hushed, squatting down and placing a finger on my lips. "This isn't the time to unleash all your anger on me. You need to conserve your strength. The drug is potent," he said gently, as if speaking to a child.

"If you hadn't shot me, I wouldn't be in this state," I scolded.

He shrugged. "You are right, but it was the only way to bring you along."

"And what makes you think I won't run away once I regain my strength?" I said, crossing my arms.

"Let me worry about that later," he sighed before standing up. "My men are out in the woods to find meat for us. We bought a couple of wines along, so we'll be able to have a decent meal today."

The mention of food made my stomach growl loudly, and I blushed in embarrassment. He smiled at me before joining his men to discuss arrangements, likely about sleeping arrangements from their gestures.

I turned around; this place wasn't familiar at all, and I had no idea which direction we had come from. Escaping would be challenging with so many guards around, but it would be even harder once we reached Michael's castle. This was the best time for me to formulate an escape plan. I could hear the faint sound of flowing water, so I knew there was likely a lake nearby. I decided to follow it, hoping it would lead me to town.

Men had dictated my life for too long. I had not spent sixteen years training to be the first female Alpha just to end up as a slave to an obnoxious male specimen who thought I would be his property.

Michael returned to where I was. "Follow me."

I frowned, looking him squarely in the eyes. "I'm not going anywhere with you, dumbass. You said I should save my strength, so that's what I'm doing."

"Oh, right," Michael muttered before effortlessly bending down to pick me up and carrying me on his shoulders.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Haven't you any manners? This is no way to treat a lady," I scolded, watching his ass move as he carried me.

“With all the cussing you are doing today, I’m afraid, ma’am, you are far from being a lady,” he quipped, flashing a mischievous smile.

I hissed, angrily pushing my hair out of my face. "Just put me down."

He halted and gently placed me back on my feet.

I frowned, smoothing out my disheveled hair before shooting him a sarcastic look. “Surprising that you can actually listen,” I remarked.

He pointed behind me. "Over there."

Turning, I saw a tent had been set up. "Is this where I'll be sleeping?" I asked, raising my brows. It was away from the rest of the crew, which meant escaping would be easier.

"It's where we will both be sleeping," he said with a smirk.

My eyes widened in shock as I dramatically placed my hands on my chest. "Absolutely not! I refuse to spend the night with you.”

"Don't worry, I'm not going to try to sleep with you unless you want me to... then I'll be happy to be at your service," he teased.

I blinked rapidly. "You have a terrible mind," I hissed.

Michael chuckled. "You know, for someone who spent most of their life trying to be perfect and not show emotions, you are surprisingly easy to torment. If I were your uncle, I would ask for a refund."

I gasped in shock, The audacity of this male specimen. He always managed to get on my nerves, from childhood to adulthood, and now he was even more irritating. I wanted to call him out, but I knew it would only prove his point. Instead, I took a deep breath and exhaled, releasing all my built up anger.

"Stay in the tent. I will bring you food," he said, turning away. "And don't even think of escaping; I have got my eyes on you."

I glanced to my side and noticed one of his men watching me from the far corner. I scoffed at him before making my way into the tent.

Once inside the tent, I made a decision: my wedding dress was not designed for escaping and running away from my family.

I tore the bottom part of my dress so it fell above my knees and created a long slit to ease my movement. Next, I removed all my expensive earrings and necklaces, wrapping them in a piece of torn fabric. I would need them later to trade for food, and I couldn't afford to lose them while on the run. I secured the makeshift pouch around my waist when a tiny bottle fell out.

I picked it up, staring at it. Bella had given it to me upon my request. I had asked her for a sleeping potion to avoid my wedding night duties with Kelvin, but now I would use it for my escape.

After a while, Michael entered the tent with a server who placed the food on a small table. Once the server was gone, he turned to me with a smug look. "Are you trying to seduce me, ma'am? I will have you know, you don't have to do much to get me turned on," he winked.

I rolled my eyes. "Get your mind out of the gutter."

Sitting down at the table, I began eating, but Michael just stood there watching me.

I turned to him with half chewed food in my mouth. "Did you poison me?"

Michael laughed. "You are no use to me dead. Please, enjoy. I'm going to eat with my men."

I swallowed, dropping the utensils. "I'm not eating unless you join me."

"You acted like you hated my presence earlier, but now you want me. Interesting," he replied.

"Don't feel too special," I muttered.

He nodded before excusing himself to inform his men that he wouldn't be joining them. While he was away, I emptied the sleeping powder into the wine glass.

He returned and sat opposite me,"Here, take this wine as a peace offering," I said, offering him the glass with a small smile.

Michael looked at me suspiciously, then at the glass. "I can pour my own wine."

"I know, but this is a peace offering."

"Why should I trust you? You might have tampered with it while I was away."

I offered him a warm smile. "There's no way I could have done that; you brought the food, not me."

"Besides, you are no use to me dead," I smirked.

He took the glass from my hand and downed it in one gulp. It took all my willpower not to smile. Now, I just needed to wait for the drug to kick in.