Dragon Alpha's Special Mate

7. Deep Trouble

Sophia

I start brushing my hair, enjoying some quiet time as I reflect on last night. I didn’t tell Sapphire or Ruby about the conversation I overheard. They’d end up overanalyzing it, and I’d have never gotten to sleep last night.

I left it simple, telling them I had fun but wouldn’t pursue anything. Ruby thought that was a smart move. As she put it: Don’t beg for his attention. Let him come back for more and play hard to get.

As if.

I’m about to shower before going home to get ready for Maxson’s ceremony when Sapphire bursts into the bathroom, holding her phone and reading in a frantic voice.

“Maxson has fallen sick, and the celebration today will be postponed until the investigation is complete.”

“Investigation? Do they think someone hurt him?” My heart starts pounding as I watch her face fall and turn the phone toward me.

“Not just someone: You.”

I rip her phone from her hand, staring at a photo of me walking up the steps to the party, then another of Maxson and me dancing together at the beginning of the party. My hand shakes as I stare at her phone. The article is from a sketchy news source, one that the Alpha or their family doesn’t officially recognize, but it’s out there.

“Sophia, come down here, please.”

Ruby’s voice shakes as I hear it coming from the hallway. I stare at Sapphire as I walk out of the bathroom. I give her phone back to her, and as she takes it, she wraps her arms around me tightly.

“It’s going to be okay.”

I hold onto the hug before bringing my head high and walking out into the hallway. All of my confidence is lost when I look over the railing that shows the front door. It’s far worse than I can imagine.

Standing there is my mom with Malakai and Damari.

I want to run down the hallway and escape from one of the side rooms. I’ll even jump out of the window if I have to. But I’m not a fighter. I’m not a runner. And fleeing would make me look guilty. So, I start down the stairs, glad that I didn’t eat anything this morning, so there’s nothing to vomit.

“You’re not in trouble. We just need you to come with us.”

I nod at Malakai, timidly continuing down the steps. I don’t dare make eye contact with Mom as I walk out of Sapphire’s house and into the large black SUVs they have waiting for us. I’m forever grateful that I stayed here last night. Thanks to the massive fence that surrounds their property, no one could take tabloid photos of me leaving here.

“Let me start by saying we know Maxson wasn’t poisoned, attacked, harmed, or hurt by you.” Relief floods through me as Malakai continues to talk. “We’re working to squash those rumors -”

“Then why do you need my daughter!” Mom cuts him off, her voice shaking with fear. While she may be scared, she’s never stood down from a challenge, and she fiercely protects me.

“It’s just part of the process. I promise that nothing bad is going to happen to her, and we will publicly declare her innocence.” While his words soothe my nerves, they’re back in an instant when Mom’s eyes now land on me.

“Why did you go to that party? Why did you lie to me?”

Damari and Malakai share a glance, but I keep my head down, staring at my hands.

“I just wanted to have fun.”

My voice is small, and her disappointed gaze only makes me feel smaller.

“Well, I hope you did have fun because you are so grounded. You’re lucky your birthday is tomorrow, and everything’s already planned. Because once that’s done, you won’t be seeing anyone for so long. I mean, your father gets home from his trip today, and you go do something like this? What were you thinking?”

I don’t answer her as she lectures me in front of the freaking Czar. This is so embarrassing.

“I have to get Ryder in two hours from the airport. Will we be done by then?”

“I’m sorry, Rebecca. This could take all day. Maybe even until tomorrow.”

“What?” Mom and I say at the same time.

“She needs to be at home to get her dragon tonight!” Mom argues, and I see Malakai and Damari share another look.

“We’ll do our best, but until the rumors are handled, she’s safer in the castle.” We pull in front of my mom's coffee shop, and I’m somewhat surprised. “We’ll bring her home when we’re done.”

“She can’t come with?” I ask, desperate not to be alone despite how angry she is at me.

“I’m sorry,” Damari tells her, and she looks directly at me.

“I love you, okay? Your father and I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

I hug her tightly, as best as I can, in the car at least.

Damari helps her out of the car when we finally pull away. I’m forever grateful that while she’s angry with me, she didn’t end it on something negative. Not when I have no idea what to think about the situation I find myself in.

As we start driving, I look up at them.

“I won’t be going home tonight, will I?” They don’t say anything, which tells me everything I need to know. “Is he okay?”

Again, they don’t say anything. It’s silent until we get to the castle, and soon, I find myself walking into a side door with them.

I didn’t even know this side entrance existed. No one tells me a thing while they lead me through the castle.

Then, there’s a staircase, and they take me down the spirals. With each passing step into the underground, my nerves grow uneasy, and all I wish is that I never went to that stupid party last night. I should have listened to my gut and ran straight home.

I’m taken to a lower level and put into a room filled with couches and a huge window. It’s one of those two-way mirrors that lets them look in, but I can’t see them.

I’ve only seen them in movies and TV shows. I didn’t even think I’d find myself under the scrutiny of one.

I sit on one of the couches, and they tell me they’ll be back shortly. I can’t help but bounce my knee as I sit and wait for them to return and tell me anything.