Shadows Of The Pack (Aria and Knox) novel Chapter 28

 Knox hardened his gaze as his piercing eyes locked with Shana's eyes once again. The tension in the room was palpable as their emotions clashed. "So?" he uttered, his voice laced with a anger.
Shana's voice quivered, "What do you mean by 'so'? She left, Knox. We have to go and find her." Her eyes pleaded with him, silently begging him to understand the gravity of the situation.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Knox's face. "And why would I do that? If Aria left, then that's her decision. Now excuse us, we have more important things to worry about," he retorted dismissively, his voice tinged with indifference.
Deep within him, Knox's wolf paced restlessly, its primal instincts urging him forward, compelling him to take action. Their mate was gone, and the powerful bond they shared screamed for him to do something about it. Yet, his Alpha pride and wounded heart held him back, fueling his stubborn resolve to remain aloof.
Shana gave him one more look before turning around.
She stopped when he said his last words to her, "If you leave the pack and go after her, you might as well stay with her and never return."
As soon as Shana departed, Knox turned his attention back to Ryder and Jacob, his beta and gamma, respectively. His jaw clenched, his gaze unwavering. "Where were we?" he demanded.
Ryder, crossing his arms over his broad chest, couldn't hide his disappointment. "You're really not going after her?" he questioned, his tone a mix of concern and disbelief.
Knox's glare intensified as he locked eyes with his beta. "I didn't ask her to leave, did I?" he responded sharply, his words laden with unspoken pain and frustration. The weight of his emotions was almost tangible in the air, casting a dark cloud over the room.
"But, Knox, she is your-" Ryder began.
The Alpha's piercing gaze silenced Ryder instantly, a warning that brooked no further discussion. "Can we continue the meeting now, or do I proceed with just Jacob?" he demanded, his voice low and controlled.
Ryder, bowing his head in acceptance, reluctantly stepped back, understanding the boundaries that his Alpha had set. The meeting continued, but a sense of unease lingered in the room, a silent acknowledgment of the void left by Aria's departure.
Shana's frustration reached its peak as she entered her room. Grabbing a bag, she angrily hurled a jumble of clothes into it,stuffing them down forcefully.
Melody stood at her door watching for a moment before she finally spoke,"Knox asked you not to leave the pack, Shana," She spoke softly, her voice carrying a mix of concern and caution.
Shana paused, her fiery gaze meeting Melody's gentle eyes. "Well, you can tell Knox that when I'm gone, he can go fuck himself," she spat out bitterly, her words dripping with resentment.
Melody took a step closer, her voice tinged with sadness. "Shana..."
Shana interrupted her, her frustration unabated. "No, Mel. Ever since Aria got here, he has been acting like a bitch. I seriously don't know what his problem is. He is my Alpha, and I respect him, but lately, I don't know if I want to follow him anymore," Shana confessed, her voice strained with a mix of anger and hurt. She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before continuing.
"When Nikolai threatened us, he should have taken immediate action instead of sitting around waiting," Shana vented, her hands balling into fists. The memories of the recent threat weighed heavily on her, the danger lingering in her mind. Melody blew out a breath, "He knew Nikolai wouldn't follow through with it. Everyone knows Nikolai is nothing more than a scared wolf," she added.
"No. That is not it. He still won't get over the fact that he means nothing to Nikolai even though they are brothers."
Melody paused, the impact of Shana's words hitting her, "What?"
Shana's gaze met Melody's. "It is true, Mel. I overheard him talking to Ryder about it a year ago," she confessed, her voice heavy with the weight of a secret she had carried alone for far too long.
Melody's shock was evident as the truth settled in. "A year ago? And you're just telling me now?" she exclaimed, a mix of disappointment and disbelief coloring her voice.
"Look Mel I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I have to go."
Melody's heart ached for her friend. She stepped forward."She is not Mathias. I know you feel like they are connected because she is marked just like him but they are not the same person. I like Aria too but being a lone wolf isn't a fate that I would wish on anyone and that is what awaits you if you leave."
Shana's grip on the bag loosened, "I failed Mathias, and now I couldn't save her either."
"I know Shana. You were seventeen and you did your best. Aria made her choice. You can't try to save her because it would make up for you not being able to save Mathias."
Melody stepped forward, taking away the back from her friend. She wrapped her hands around Shana who cried bitterly into her chest.

 ****************
Sophia took a leisurely stroll through the pack territory, the weight of Aria's absence casting a somber mood over her surroundings. Initially, she had harbored resentment towards Aria, desperately wanting her to leave. But now, with her gone, a void seemed to linger, an emptiness that couldn't be ignored. She blew out a frustrated breath, attempting to tuck her unruly hair behind her ear but there was no point to it.
A low growl echoed from behind, causing Sophia to turn around. Standing before her was Mark, his arms folded across his chest, a look of disdain etched on his face. "What are you doing here, Sophia?" he sneered, his tone laced with contempt.
Rolling her eyes in annoyance, Sophia retorted, "Please, the last thing I wanted was to see your face, so don't stand there and act like I'm excited to see you." The words dripped with sarcasm.
Initially, when Sophia had first laid eyes on Mark, she had been captivated by his attractive features. His baby blue eyes, which crinkled at the corners when he smiled, his boyish handsome face, and his tousled blonde hair that perpetually fell across his forehead. He possessed the physical attributes of an alluring male, but beneath the surface, his timid nature and pushover tendencies grated on Sophia's wolf. It had been a surprise when Knox allowed him to join the sentinels. Yet, Sophia's wolf growled in annoyance at her own lie—perhaps it wasn't a miracle, he had really impressed her on the day of trials with his skills but the male wolf still needed to grow a spine.
Her gaze involuntarily flickered down to his trousers, memories of their one-night encounter flooding her mind. That night, Mark had been painfully hesitant, seeking constant reassurance and questioning his abilities. It had left Sophia wondering why the moon goddess would bless such a fool with such an impressive dick.
"Get out of here, Sophia. I'm not in the mood for your bitchy attitude today," Mark snapped, interrupting her train of thought.
Throwing her head back, Sophia let out a mocking laugh. "Who taught you how to use the word 'bitch'? I should send them a thank you note."
"What is your problem with me, Sophia? Ever since I got here, you've been so mean," Mark questioned, his voice tinged with hurt.
She glared at him, her hand gesturing wildly. "This right here is my problem with you. You sound like you want to cry right now. I hate that you're so spineless. You're a male wolf, for Luna's sake. Act like it." Sophia's frustration seeped through her words "The night we had sex, you couldn't even own that. No female wolf wants to be constantly asked by the male that is fucking her if he's doing it right, Mark."
"Well I'm sorry if I didn't know what I was doing and I was trying to figure it out."
The realization hit her, "That was your first time?"
Mark turned away, ready to leave, his voice heavy with defeat. "Just forget it, Sophia. Since you won't leave, then I will."
Caught off guard by his sudden retreat, Sophia quickly stepped forward, reaching out to stop him. "Wait, Mark. I seriously didn't know. How could you be twenty-two and have never had sex before then?"
Mark's gaze hardened, a mix of pain and frustration flickering in his eyes. "You want me to tell you so you can mock me? I don't think so."
"Now who is being the bitchy one?"
Mark's wolf growled in response, his patience wearing thin. He had endured enough of Sophia's biting remarks. His anger surged, his frustration mingling with a strange undercurrent of desire. In that charged moment, his gaze involuntarily dropped to her lips, a primal instinct awakening within him.
With a fierce growl, Mark swiftly closed the distance between them, his hand gripping Sophia's arm as he pulled her closer. Without a moment's hesitation, he crushed his lips against hers in a possessive, aggressive kiss. The air around them crackled with a potent blend of tension and unexpected attraction.
Sophia's initial surprise gave way to a surge of conflicting emotions. Her body responded instinctively to Mark's dominant display, the raw passion igniting a flame within her. She could feel the intensity of his grip, his breath mingling with hers, their connection taking on a new, unfamiliar dynamic.
Their kiss was a collision of conflicting desires and suppressed frustrations, an unspoken acknowledgment of their shared turmoil. Mark's actions spoke volumes, revealing a side of him that Sophia had never glimpsed before—the strength and confidence she had longed to see.
In one move he tore off her shirt. She wasn't wearing a bra. His lust filled eyes met hers.
She yanked his shirt pulling him back towards her, kissing him again. His hands went to her full breasts, kneading one after the other. She let out a gasp when his teeth bit down on her lips drawing blood.
"I need you to fuck me."
He looked around suddenly unsure, "I don't think.. I wasn't actually-"
Sophia's hands worked on his belt, his zipper following suit, "You already started off great, don't ruin it."
"Okay but let's go back to my room."
"No." Sophia fell to her knees and she released his dick from his trouser. Her hand wrapped around his long hard length.
"Sophia what if someone sees?"
She threw a charming smile up at him, "Then I better give them a show."
He sucked in a sharp breath when her hot mouth wrapped around him. Sophia worked her lips down his length. With one Iof her hands she pumped the base, wrapping her lips tighter around him and sucking faster.
Mark groaned when she placed the flat of her tongue around his head, then licked. "Fuck Sophia."
She released him from her mouth. He looked down at him, the hunger evident on his face.
"I want you to fuck my mouth."
He looked unsure and she gave him a reassuring smile. "I will tell you how to. Grip my hair and thrust into my mouth."
"No."
Sophia blinked, "What?"
Without wasting another second, he yanked her up, turning her around. He positioned her against a tree and in one hard thrust he entered her.
"Fuck." She gasped out.
"Hold the tree tightly." That was the last thing he said before his hips moved forward and he pounded hard into her over and over. The sound of their fucking filled the air. The possiblity of being watched fueling them further. He raised his hand and it came down on her ass.
"Mark." She moaned out.
He grabbed her waist and increased his pace, fucking her like it was the last thing he would ever do in his life.
Sophia moaned as he moved relentlessly inside her loving every minute of it.
His hand went to her hair and he gripped it tight, arching her back towards him.
"You like that?"
She moaned louder in response.
He raised his hand, slapping her ass again, "Please don't stop. I'm going to come."
He moved faster, "Don't come until I say you can come."
She cried out in protest and he slowed his pace, "Sophia." He warned.
She nodded silently begging for him to fuck her faster. He gave into her silent plea. The sound of their skin slapping drove her crazy. Her claws extracted and she dug them into the tree trying trying to hold back.
"Mark please I need to–"
"Come." He commanded. Sophia let out a scream.
He thrust a few more times before releasing into her. He groaned as his teeth sank into her shoulder. The both of them froze as the realization of what he had done hit.
Sophia stepped away from him, a shocked look on her face. His expression mirrored hers as his eyes went down to the now evident mark on her shoulder.
Sophia touched it, her eyes widening, "You just marked me."