Chapter 4 – Tell me
Sophia stared at her mirror. Since she didn't need her glasses anymore, she had decided to invest in some makeup. She had put up her hair and was now wearing a light blue spaghetti strapped sundress. The dress clung to her body like second skin. She had been a little reluctant when Sarah had insisted she buy the dress but now she realized that the flip had also caused her body to firm and curve in all the right places.
"I wonder how Luke would like the new me?"
She wondered how Luke would like her new image. They were supposed to meet at the Hill's hangout. It would officially be their first date. Although if it had been up to her, this date would have been in a quieter setting other than the weekly rave. Glancing at the clock behind her, she took one last look at her reflection and then grabbed her purse before leaving the room. Sophia guessed that her dad was still out on duty and wouldn't be back until much later.
But it wasn't until she stepped out of her room that she realized how mistaken she was. Her dad was calmly sitting on the couch reading a paper. He looked up when she approached him.
"And where are you going dressed like that, Sophia?"
"The Rave."
"Sophia, I hope you know that I expect you to abide by the same rules. They haven't changed just because you flipped. You're still my little girl."
"Daddy, don't worry. I just need to have some fun. These last couple of weeks have been tough."
"Don't try to kid me, Sophia. They had to call the sheriff's department down at the last rave. Drunk kids and loud music, I just don't like it."
"Dad, you just have to trust me. Anyway, I'm not going for the Rave. I'm just supposed to meet Lucas there. I wont get drunk or do anything that bad. I am your daughter."
"Sophia... sigh, okay, I guess you are responsible enough. Its just all those other pack kids that I don't trust especially Lucas Cates. You're a big girl, its not like I can stop you. Just make sure you are back by curfew."
"Thanks dad. Don't worry so much. Your getting too much wrinkles."
As Sophia arrived at the Rave site something was wrong. The clearing was quieter as she reached it. She had expected the Rave to be on at full swing by the time she arrived. It wasn't until she drew nearer that she noticed the kids all gathered in a wide circle. They were cheering and somehow she could sense that Luke was involved.
Pushing her way through, she was shocked to find Luke and Stephen bashing and practically trying to kill each other. The rest of the pack hushed when they noticed her. Sophia jumped in and pulled the two boys apart. Both of them went staggering back, Stephen tripping and falling while Luke was about to confront the intruder who dared get involved until he noticed that it was Sophia. His gaze softened somewhat then hardened when Stephen got up.
"ENOUGH!!" Sophia screamed with a ferocity that made both of them back away.
Slowly, she walked up to Luke. She could see that he wasn't ready to back off yet. Sophia placed a restraining palm on his heaving chest.
"Forget it Luke." Sophia whispered, slipping the fingers of her other hand into the welcoming warmth of his huge hand.
"This is supposed to be our date. I'd hate to have to spend it nursing a half-dying little pup. I would have thought you'd have planned better things to do. And just so you know... I'm wearing only two socks, a slip and one more item under this dress."
She'd managed to distract him. "Which did you leave off? " he growled softly. "Top or bottom?"
Seductively, she licked her lips. "You figure it out." Sensing that he wasn't going to pursue Stephen any further, she started walking out of the circle, past the crowd. Luke followed her quietly, his hand still in hers. With one last glance, she turned around and addressed the rest of the Kids.
"I don't give a damn about what the fight was all about. But I'm sure the Elders would just love to know that the youth are a bunch of irresponsible misfits. That could have gotten out of hand and somebody, for god's sake, please help Stephen. He's a mess."
"And Luke. Why don't we go somewhere quiet so I can clean up that bulldog face of yours? I don't like my mates looking like they just had a facial appointment with a lawn-mower, you know."
Both Luke and Sophia wandered out a distance where the music was so faint that it could hardly be heard at all. Sitting on the grass and pulling Sophia down with him, Luke looked into her eyes. They were strangely soothing and caring with a mix of something... concern. Slowly, Sophia drew some tissue paper from her purse. Trying to dab the rivulets of blood on his face from where Stephen had clawed him, Sophia sighed. Catching her hand and pulling it away, Luke said,
"Look, forget it. The wounds aren't that deep. They'll disappear in half an hour or so."
Luke turned his gaze on to the shining stars in the sky. Sophia clasped her hand in his.
"Luke, what was that all about? As far as I know, you don't go around fighting a friend like an enemy."
"It was nothing, okay. Drop it."
Sophia drew in a deep breath at the sudden harshness in Luke's words. Suddenly she felt her anger come to the surface.
"Fine. Don't tell me everything. You come in to my life, spewing this whole bullshit about us being meant for each other and how now we'll be together forever. We've even joined blood. But you know what, if you're supposed to be my mate, then how come I know, hmm... just about zilch about you?"
"What do you mean? We've known each other since we were kids. You know who I am."
"Yeah, I know that you're Lucas Cates. The big shot son of two Alphas and probably a future Alpha in the making. Bad Boy of Wolf Lake High. I don't give a damn about all that. I have never given a damn about this stupid image you try so hard to portray. You never have had the decency to tell me about the real you. So much for mental telepathy. I have no idea what goes on in your head. Your aspirations, ambitions and dreams."
"Well... you want to know about my ambitions and aspirations. I have NONE! I'm not as privileged as you were to dream. I knew from day one that I was fated to be stuck here in Wolf Lake. I knew that I would grow up, grow old and die in Wolf Lake. And since we're on the grounds of total honesty now, I'll tell you something else. I was willing to fight a friend in order to defend YOUR HONOR! Apparently there are some people out there who think a half-breed ungulate even though she has flipped is not good enough for their future Alpha!"
Luke felt his simmering blood die down immediately when he took a chance glance at Sophia and saw her eyes shimmering with tears.
"Oh, baby. I didn't mean it. It just came out that's all. You know I do crazy things when I'm mad."
Luke put his arms around Sophia. He felt moist tears wet his neck and the collar of his shirt.
"No, Luke. I'm the one who should be apologizing."
Sophia drew back and smiled. "I mean, we're supposed to be on our first date now. All that communicate with your partner stuff should only come after the wedding."
Luke leaned back and lay on the ground. Propping his head up, he gave her a cocky grin and said, "Yeah. Guess we're off to an early start. We've skipped a couple of stages and started to act like old geezers. What say we go back a couple of stages? I know a stage which is pretty interesting."
Sophia laughed out and jumped on top of him. "You do huh? Well I have a stage in mind as well."
With a quick turn Luke was on top of her. Sophia felt incredibly delicate beneath him, fragile and breakable. He sent butterfly kisses from her forehead right down to her shoulders. He could feel Sophia tracing his back with her fingers.
He took his time, warming her cool skin with his hands and mouth, lighting a fire that would burn bright enough to engulf them both. When she rewarded his patience with the sweetest of responses, he peeled the hem of her dress upwards, uncovering silky smooth skin. He touched the spot where delicate ankles met trim calves, and her eyes drifted close, a soft sigh melting off her lips. His fingers danced higher, over her knees to the enticing curve of her thigh, pausing.
His breath grew harsh with need. His control wouldn't last much longer, he realized sparing her a brief glance. What he saw stopped him cold. Her honey gaze met his with such a mix of need and anxiety, it threatened to unman him. And suddenly he knew he'd be making a terrible mistake if he didn't stop. Reluctantly, his hand slid away. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue.
"Why'd you stop?" She moaned as her eyes flew open at his silence.
Luke took in Sophia's appearance. Her face was flushed and she was now consciously trying to tug her dress down. Her hair was a mess and the odd leaf or two were entangled in it. Getting onto his feet, Luke pulled Sophia up with him. Noticing that her dress was too thin and also by the fact that he was deeply aroused by the sight of her dress straps slowly falling over her shoulders, he quickly shrugged off his jacket and wrapped her in it. Helping her to comb out her hair, he said,
"It's getting late. Your dad might be looking for you. I'll drop you home."
Sophia was surprised at the sudden coldness in Luke's voice. She was still slightly embarrassed at what had happened. Oh god, she had almost become another Prestley if Luke hadn't stopped it. And she had wanted more if Luke hadn't the good mind to stop when he had!
As she got down from the car in front of her house, she turned and noticed that Luke's knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel in a death grip.
"Goodnight Luke. See you tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure. Bye."
And with those words, Luke was speeding off down the road leaving Sophia gaping.
Hours later, Luke was staring up at the blank ceiling, now lying on his bed. Sighing, he closed his eyes trying to get some sleep. He couldn't believe how close he had come to making love to Sophia in the woods tonight.
Something else was also bothering him. Until that moment, he had truly believed that his so-called obsession with her would end when he got he body. But now, he realized that it was so much more, he wanted not only her body but her mind, heart and soul as well. Lucas Cates had finally realized that he wanted Sophia Donner's love as well. And to do so, he had to be the guy that she wanted.