Chapter 21

Sophie P.O.V

I couldn't believe what I had witnessed. I knew I was in some kind of shock. My throat felt raw.

My room was a mess. I hadn't realised how much had been thrown around during our fight. I stood up and began picking up bits and pieces. Eric and James stood watching me for a while. My arm hurt but it was magically and gradually healing itself. It was fascinating.

After a few minutes, Eric came up and grabbed the rubbish in my hands, passing it to James before taking my hands and leading me to the sofa. We sat down with a thump which snapped me out of my state of perplexity. Eric kept a hold of my hands and I saw James had started to pick up fractured pieces that once used to be a vase.

I looked back at Eric. This was it. He was going to reject me now. Even if my body was screaming for his touch, I knew I couldn't carry on just existing and only being noticed when it suited him.

"I'm ready for you to reject me now. I won't run away." I squeaked as I fought back the threat of tears.

"What are you talking about?" Eric asked softly.

"It's what you want." I turned away from him and focused on James who pottered about. I wondered if he was here to support Eric in his decision to reject me or to stop me from running away again.

"I never wanted that." He cupped my chin and turned my face so that I was looking at him. "Why would you think that?"

I scoffed at his question. Had he not realised how much of an arse he'd been? Especially to me.

"You made it very clear that you were committed to Tatiana…" He went to speak but I stopped him. "Please let me finish. I know that her pup isn't yours but that doesn't change the way you acted. I can't deny that every time we are together there is this incredible desire and pull between us. I want nothing more than to be in your arms." He smiled and nodded. "But if you were so eager to cast me aside for her without standing up for yourself. How can I tell you won't do it again when someone else better comes along or someone your Mother approves of?"

Some time during my little speech James had retreated out the door. He had flashed a sympathetic grin at me and a nod at Eric who appeared oblivious. My throat burned but I'd finished what I needed to say. Eric was just sitting there not saying anything, just staring into space. I sighed. It was as I thought, he would eventually reject me.

I withdrew my hands from his and went to stand up, I needed water. But he grabbed my arms pulling me back towards him. He planted his lips on mine setting my body alight. I naturally threw my arms behind his neck and pulled him closer. All I could think about was his body naked against mine. The thought made the heat travel to my core and explode within me. Eric smiled against my lips and he deepened his attack on my mouth pushing his tongue beyond the barrier. The passion of the mate bond washed over me. I didn't try to stop it. I knew I should, but I didn't want to. I craved his touch too much.

Eric peppered my neck with more kisses. I let a raspy moan escape my throat as his tongue traced the line of my neck to my collarbone. Instinct pushed my body into his as his hands explored the small of my back. Finally, he stopped and sat back gazing at me.

"I truly am sorry for everything I did to you. I never really considered how much I was hurting you until my Mother insisted I do that stupid blood bond. I know I don't have your trust, but I want you to trust me again. I want to love you and our pup forever and don't think its only because you're carrying my heir. You are everything to me Sophie, you have been the day I found you unconscious on the ground. I was just too busy trying to please everyone instead of acknowledging how I really felt."

He pushed some loose strands of my hair behind my ear and smiled at me. "Will you let me love you Sophie?"

I bit my lip. He was right, I couldn't trust him anymore. But seeing his feelings laid bare I wanted to give him a chance to prove himself. I looked deep into his eyes and moved my hand to the side of his face. He lent into it and closed his eyes. My vision changed.

We were standing together, hand in hand. I was dressed in a beautiful A-line white chiffon dress. A garland of flowers on my head framing loose chocolate brown curls. Eric looked rather dashing in a handmade black suit with a crisp white shirt and black bowtie. His hair was neatly combed back. We stood in front of an altar. The entire pack was in front of us, including my adoptive parents and Eric's Mother. Everyone was cheering and clapping as we lent in and kissed.

The vision faded and was replaced by Eric's confused expression. "What was that?"

I smiled at him, swallowing hard. "I think that was our future."

His eyebrows shot up. "But how?"

"I'm not really sure." I confessed. "When I make contact with people or objects, I sometimes see the future and other times I see the past. It happened with the grandfather clock on the stair landing and with your mother a couple of weeks after that. It's been more frequent lately. Today I've had three visions including that one." I dropped my hand from his cheek. I panicked a little wondering if I should have told him, especially now he looked concerned.

"Is that why Tatiana said you were a witch? And from touching her, you saw the pup wasn't mine?"

"Yes." I mumbled. "I saw the night she told Luke about the pup and about her plan." His face relaxed I reached up and let my finger trace over his lips.

"You truly are special Sophie." He said before playfully biting my finger.

I giggled before I moved up and kissed him. "I will give you a chance Eric, but if you hurt me again, I will reject you myself." I looked sternly at him making sure he understood that this was he one and only chance to make it right between us.

"I understand." He said before kissing my forehead. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." I sat up a little and inspected my arm. The edges of the cut had developed into a solid purple and red scar. I didn't know why it was healing so well and so quickly. "But first can I get a glass of water?" Eric nodded and then stood up before disappearing into the bathroom. He returned with a glass of water and I smiled. The water was heaven on my rough sore throat, and I drank greedily.

"Have you noticed any other powers?" He asked as he sat back down next to me. His emphasis on the last word made me look up at him.

"What do you mean?" I swallowed. Why would be think my visions were powers of some kind?

"Well, when I was downstairs in my office, talking to James I could have sworn I had a vision of you and Tatiana fighting before you called out to me and apologised." It was my turn to appear shocked.

I remembered his saying that he had heard me when he was comforting me before. "You mean like a projection or a premonition?

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure. But I'm worried. There's only one other werewolf that I know who can project words and that's…"

"THE BLACK WOLF!" My hand shot up to my mouth.

"It's ok Sophie. We'll figure everything out together. He won't hurt you." Eric was rubbing my back now and realisation became tears.

"What does he want with me?" My hand moved to my stomach. Did the Black Wolf want my baby? He knew about him before I'd even had the chance to confirm it myself. Was he able to see into the future?

"Let's hope Dr Sven will have some answers." Eric said reassuringly.

I nodded but couldn't help feeling uneasy. "Have you heard from them?" I asked.

"Not in the last couple of days, no." Eric looked concerned but quickly changed to his expression to a smile. "I cancelled the doctor before, but I still think it would be a good idea if you get checked out." Eric stood up in front of me, holding out a hand. I took it and stood, a little too quickly and almost landed back on the sofa. Eric grabbed me around my waste and held me up. "Careful." He said softly as he helped me straighten up.

I giggled shyly. I felt ridiculous like I had never walked before. I put it down to lack of food and the stress of events.

"Want me to carry you?" Eric asked seeing my hesitation to walk.

"And have everyone stare at me like last time?" I shook my head.

"I didn't notice." He smirked. "Besides people should stare that their beautiful Luna."

I playfully shoved into him almost making myself fall over again. "I'm not a Luna." I laughed.

"Not yet no. But you will be." He brought his lips to mine and kisses me making my body warm again. "Will you go out to dinner with me?" He asked in between kissing my lips.

I chuckled and pulled back from him so I could look at him. "You're asking me out? Aren't we a bit beyond that?" I asked patting my stomach.

He chuckled. "I don't think so." His hand reached mine. His touch was gentle and caring.

"Won't it be weird? You just broke up with Tatiana." He dropped his hand, and I turned, making my way towards the door.

"I never was with Tatiana. It was all just make-believe." He came up along side me and grabbed my hand again.

"It didn't look like pretending to me." Memories of them together came flooding back but I didn't let go of his hand. Mainly because I still felt a little shaky and was regretting my dismissal to not be carried.

"Then you believed the lie." He moved back in front of me. "Sophie I'm serious when I say there was never anything romantic between Tatiana and I. Please go to dinner with me?"

I grinned at him and nodded. "Ok I'll go to dinner with you."