Eight and I Just Want to Run

Delphine feels as if she might start hyperventilating soon as Julian steps out of the house and cannot meet her eyes. She doesn’t think he sold her out, not intentionally anyway, but that doesn’t make her feel any better. Does he hate her now? Everything is changing because of her and no doubt he’ll get in trouble alongside Marcus for helping her. Then she thinks of Marie, who willingly betrayed her trust, and she feels her heart pick up speed in anger. What did she do to deserve this? Why does everyone want to control her?

She zones out as Tiberius talks with Julian who, as far as Delphine can tell, is acting as head of the boarding house in Marie’s absence. She doesn’t hear their words, it feels as if her ears are stuffed with cotton and all she can focus on is the pounding of her heart. Delphine feels itchy as if she has to move, scream, or just do anything to expel all the nervous energy building in her. She has never felt this nervous before not even on her first performance night.

Delphine doesn’t give it another thought before she turns and bolts for it. She can’t do this, she can’t stay here and let someone else dictate her life again. The sandals she wears aren’t the best for running, but she doesn’t bother to stop and take them off. No, she just wants to escape. Blood roars in her ears, but she distantly hears Tiberius’ footfalls behind her. All she can think is that he’s going to catch her and she does her best to run faster away from him.

The edge of the parking lot is in sight when a heavy weight settles on her back. Delphine loses balance and nearly crashes into the ground but the arms around her middle right them both just in time. This is when she screams, kicks, scratches, and dares to bite the horrible man who wants to lock her up. Tiberius doesn’t budge an inch until all her energy is spend and she’s sobbing in his arms.

“Oh little bird,” Tiberius kisses the back of her neck, dangerously close to the scent gland there. “I know this is all new and terrifying for you, but please stop trying to run. When you run, my wolf can’t help but to give chase. It excites him and it takes all my self control not to pound into your pussy senselessly right where everyone can see.”

As if to prove his point, his dick grinds into her backside and Delphine freezes. A low chuckle escapes Tiberius at this as he squeezes her sides and starts to not just kiss, but also suck at her neck. Tears gather once more in her eyes and she doesn’t prevent them from falling this time. Delphine simply sobs and stops fighting, she doesn’t have the energy left nor the want for her virginity to be taken in public and by the very man she is growing to despise more and more.

“Why me,” Delphine whispers as he easily picks her up and sits her in his truck.

Tiberius is slotted between her legs, not quite ready to let her sit in the seat properly, “I’ve told you, we’re mates. I’ve known since I first saw you, since I first got a whiff of your scent. No matter how long it takes, I will stay here to remind you until you accept. It would be easier for both of us if you accepted it sooner rather than later, but I can be patient.”

She doesn’t believe a word he says, he doesn’t smell like anything to her besides the soap she knows he uses. Delphine turns away from him and he sighs, releasing her to sit properly as he goes around to the driver’s side. They don’t speak the entire journey back to his home and Delphine plots in her mind how next to get away from him. He’s delusional, she has decided, and the only way to save herself is to escape him. To make sure he can never find her again.

Delphine plots during the drive, staring out the window in concentration as she tries to first think of a way to give his guards the slip. They sit under every window, stand outside every door, and seem loyal to Tiberius so what she needs is to figure out their schedule. Figure out when they switch guards, positions, and everything else about their movements because all she needs is an opportunity, no matter how small, and then she can be gone. Well, an opportunity to give the guards a run for their money, as Delphine still needs a place to run to. A means of getting far and fast, her wolf isn’t the strongest after all. It would be all too easy for an Alpha like Tiberius to order her to stop and she would listen, she knows, which is why she needs to be careful.

A smirk threatens to overtake her features at the thought of pulling one over Tiberius and being able to be her own person again. Delphine keeps her features smooth even as they step out of the car and he guides her with an arm around her waist inside. The touch is like acid to her skin, but she endures because she will get out. She’s done it once and she can do it again.

“Anything in particular you’re wanting for lunch,” Tiberius strokes her hair as he directs her to the same spot she was in this morning for breakfast. “Pollonia is a great cook and baker, just name it and she can make it.”

“I can make my own food,” Delphine is quick to snap and try to do just that.

Tiberius forces her back into her seat, “Nonsense, my Omega should never have to lift a finger like that with me around. Besides you need to start conserving as much energy as you can for when we have a baby.”

She doesn’t like how he says ‘when’ and not ‘if’ because that means he’s going to try and lock her up indefinitely. Delphine scowls at his grinning face before promptly ignoring him. She can play her own games with him, if that’s what he wants. She watches him from the corner of her eye as he stares at her, waiting. Delphine doesn’t budge an inch and neither does he, not until Pollonia swats him with a towel and tells him to move.

The elderly beta smiles at Delphine, “How about a salad? Should help balance you out after all those sweets from breakfast.”

Delphine wants to ignore the older woman too, but she’s too polite to do so and instead smiles, “That would be wonderful, thank you. I don’t suppose you have any avocado to go in it?”

“I think I have one just for you, dear.”

And despite the dire situation, this does make Delphine smile genuinely for the first time in two days.