Chapter 178
Arabella swatted at a twig curling towards her, grimacing as she blocked another branch from a large tree. Going hunting with Sandro was a terrible idea, but he insisted, claiming he needed her there. Despite reminding him that she was a Phoenix, not a werewolf, it seemed like he wasn’t really listening.
The moon was out, not yet full, and they were waiting for it to reach its peak. Sandro explained that the full moon enhanced werewolves’ abilities, making it the only sensible time for hunting. Arabella just wanted to curl up in bed with a duvet, enjoying a peaceful sleep.
“Want to take a break?” Sandro turned, raising his brows.
“It’s nice of you to remember I’m part of this journey. I’m five months pregnant, Sandro. You shouldn’t have dragged me into the woods at this hour. Anything can go wrong, and it’s strenuous walking with a large bump and swollen-”
Arabella trailed off as Sandro knelt in front of her, his back turned. “Get on.”
“What are you doing?” she asked, frowning.
“Get on, Bella. This might be the only chance I have to piggyback you, and I don’t want anything to happen to you. I brought you here for a reason,” he said, patting his back.
“You could’ve told me why. You’ve been mute,” she grumbled, reluctantly walking toward him. Weighing her options, tired legs, and the risk of collapsing versus the uncertainty of the journey, she considered getting on.
Climbing onto Sandro’s back, he stood up with her, his strong arms supporting her legs. Walking further, he carried her as if she were a stuffed toy, not a 110. 23-pound woman with a large bump.
“You weigh nothing,” Sandro muttered.
“Did I say that out loud?” Arabella grimaced.
“No,” Sandro chuckled. “But I know that’s what you’re thinking because you’re tense. It would be best if you relaxed, carina. Even if you weighed tons, I don’t think you’re something I wouldn’t be able to handle.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
Arabella nodded, breathing out slowly, and relaxed into him, wrapping her arms around his upper body. The journey continued until Sandro abruptly stopped by a large oak tree.
Tilting his head upward, Arabella followed suit, thinking he was gazing at the not-yet-full moon, which was predicted to be full today.
“Can you stand?” Sandro questioned.
Arabella nodded, “I can.”
He let her down, guiding her to the large tree and helping her sit. Sandro stood, his eyes narrowed, sniffing the air. For a moment, she wondered what he was doing as he emitted a low growl and turned to gaze at her.
“Can you use any of your powers? I know the children have been sucking some of it, but I’m sure it’s not all,” he said in a rush, pulling her upward.
“What? Why?” Arabella’s brows creased. “Is something going on?”
Sandro’s face was tight, and she saw his eyes flash briefly. He stepped towards her, cupping her face. “You should do as I say.”
Arabella nodded, though she couldn’t understand why he was agitated. If he wanted her to obey him, she would.
“Don’t look back, Bella. Not even if I scream your name,” Sandro continued.
“Are we getting attacked?” she asked.
“I smell some rogues,” Sandro’s eyes darted around.
“I can fight,” Arabella insisted.
“No, hell no,” Sandro shook his head. “I can’t let you risk your life.”
“Why don’t you pretend you still hate me and let me fight, Sandro? I hate it when you treat me like some invalid.” She stretched forth her palm, and beams swirled around in the air. Closing her palm, she waved it, and a gust of wind glided out of it. “Stop treating me as if I am sick. Also, I am not leaving here.”
“Bella,” Sandro’s voice took a dangerous undertone. She heard the warning but was beyond caring.
“I am staying, Sandro, and I will take responsibility for whatever is going to happen…” Arabella gasped as Sandro wrapped his arms around her, diving into the forest floor with her.
Caught by surprise, she protected her fall by landing on Sandro, or maybe he protected her. From the corner of her eyes, she saw something swoosh past them.
“What the hell is that?”
“Rogues!” Sandro hissed. “And you can’t leave now, Bella, but don’t do anything stupid.”
“I don’t intend to,” she said, attempting to stand, but he held her down.
“Just crawl to the tree. It’s easier than standing. The last thing I want is for you to get bitten.”
“Yes, sir,” Arabella replied, doing as Sandro said.
Sandro groaned as she wiggled her backside as though she were a dog, but he said nothing about it. He needed to concentrate on the matter before him rather than on Arabella, who was unknowingly seducing him.
He stood up, his eyes scanning the area for the available rogues. He saw ten in total. They weren’t anything he couldn’t take down, but Arabella was with him. He wondered if they were going to come directly for her.
“Come at me, idiots,” he said.
“You know you shouldn’t egg them on that way,” Arabella warned.
Sandro glanced at her briefly, luckily deflecting a blow.
He gripped the rogue by the wrist, breaking it, before clutching the neck and hurling him towards the tree closest to Arabella.
The rogue jumped to his feet, heading for Arabella, who yanked a knife from the ankle boot she wore and flung it at him. The rogue shrieked as the knife collided with his eye, falling to the ground with a thud, desiccating.
“It’s good you’re great in combat. Blaze taught you well,” Sandro commented.
“He surely did,” Arabella smiled, reminiscing about her training days with Blaze, cautious of the remaining rogues.
“Now, will you allow me to fight?” She asked Sandro.
“Only if you promise you won’t put yourself in unwarranted danger,” he said, his eyes moving to her bumps as she touched them.
“I promise not to place the children in danger,” Arabella assured. She knew that was the only reason he kept asking her to stand down.
“Good,” Sandro affirmed with a nod.
All the rogues soon emerged from their hiding places. It took less than thirty minutes to defeat them, with Sandro frequently jumping in front of Arabella to protect her, even when unnecessary.
Sandro grunted, his heart racing as he looked at the rogues on the forest floor. “What do we do? We don’t even know why they are here.”
Arabella cleaned her knife on a rogue’s shirt. “Paolo sent them,” Sandro said. “We need to get out of here.”
Arabella grimaced, nodding her head. Paolo’s name wasn’t something she liked hearing. Each time she heard it, the urge to march wherever he was to end his life, causing him as much pain as he had done to her, filled her. But she knew Sandro would never approve. He wouldn’t even let her discuss it.
Sandro bent again, and she climbed on his back.
“Ready?” He asked as he stood.
“Ready,” she murmured.
Sandro sped out of the forest and towards the pack house.