Knotting His Rejected Breeder

SONIA’S POV

I returned to my seat, as I waited for what my brothers had to say. The chair creaked softly under my weight, the sound loud in the sudden tension-filled silence of the room. My hands rested in my lap, fingers twisting together as I tried to steady my breathing.

None of them spoke immediately. They were all silently staring at each other, their expressions a mix of concern, frustration, and something heavier I couldn’t quite name. The air felt thick, charged with the weight of unspoken words and divided loyalties.

I didn’t mind the silence. It gave me the opportunity to calm down, my heart still racing from the confrontation with my father. The echo of his growl still vibrated in my chest, making my palms damp with nervous sweat.

I couldn’t deny the fact I had been very much agitated. The frustration of being pushed and pulled in every direction had built up like a storm inside me, threatening to break at any moment.

So annoyed, I even felt my wolf in the heat of the moment. A small, defiant kick that reminded me she was still there, somewhere deep inside, even if I couldn’t fully reach her yet.

I couldn’t believe my father would return with the same desire for me to get married, even after I thought he was over it already. The memory of his words in the garden still stung, sharp and unyielding.

"Sonia?" Cade called first, and I directed my gaze towards him.

I stared at him boldly. It was either that, or cowering and falling under pressure. My chin lifted slightly, my shoulders squaring as I met his eyes.

He would make a fine Alpha someday. As quiet as it was kept, even better than our father.

I just wished he trusted his judgements enough.

No, it wasn’t that. I knew he trusted his judgement.

I just wished he didn’t let father’s point of view, always truncate what he knew was right. The conflict was clear in the slight furrow of his brow, the way his fingers tapped restlessly on the arm of his chair.

"Cade," I replied coolly, keeping my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

"Look at her. She’s grown a lot, hasn’t she?" He asked, looking around at our brothers, his tone carrying a note of reluctant pride.

"Yeah, she’s quite something," Jed said, and I threw him a deathly stare, my eyes narrowing in warning.

"See the way she looks at me? You’d think I’m not older than her," he hissed, though the corner of his mouth twitched with amusement.

"You are? Could have sworn she is older with the way you act," Castiel answered on my behalf, his voice dry and teasing.

I threw him a look of gratitude, and in return, he threw me a wink, a small gesture of solidarity that eased some of the tension in my shoulders.

"Can I go on now?" Cade stepped in, before an argument would ensue, his voice firm but patient.

"Sure," Caleb replied on behalf of everyone, leaning back in his chair with a sigh.

"I talked to Wolf, Sonia. We both think you should accept father’s offer."

The moment those words left his lips, my heart completely shattered. The room seemed to tilt slightly, the air growing thicker as a fresh wave of betrayal washed over me. My fingers dug into the arms of the chair, the wood creaking under the pressure.

How could he have spoken to Wolf, and that was what they could come up with? The disappointment stung sharper than I expected, a deep ache in my chest that made it hard to breathe.

My eyes went to Wolf, and he didn’t back out from my stare. His massive frame remained still, his expression unyielding as he met my gaze without flinching.

He didn’t blink either. He just kept on staring back at me until angrily, I returned my gaze back to Cade. The intensity of Wolf’s presence made my skin prickle, a reminder of the power he held in the family.

"What do you think?" He asked, his voice steady as he watched me closely.

"I think you’ve all lost your mind," I blurted out again without thinking, the words tumbling out in a rush of frustration and hurt. My voice echoed slightly in the room, sharper than I intended.

Jed whistled in an instigating manner, whilst the others stared at me in shock. Their eyes widened, a mix of surprise and disapproval crossing their faces.

I could feel all of their eyes on me, but I didn’t just care at that moment. The anger that had been building for weeks finally spilled over, hot and unfiltered.

Why did I need to be respectful and politically correct all the time, when they obviously spared no thoughts for my feelings?

I was sick and tired of everyone trying to control me.

What would happen next? I’d bring my child into the world and they’d also try to control her or him? The thought made my hand instinctively move to my stomach, a protective gesture I hoped they didn’t notice.

"Sonia, I know you’re upset. But don’t you think you’re being a tad bit harsh, and disrespectful?" Caleb asked, his tone gentle but firm as he leaned forward.

"And you all are not being the same way to me? You want me to sacrifice my happiness to be the wife of an alpha that is best friends with the man who kidnapped, and tortured me. Does that make any sense?!" My voice heightened, as my gaze swept the room in disbelief, my hands trembling in my lap.

"Wait, who does father want you to marry?" Craig asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"Alpha Liam. Ramon’s best friend!" I cried out, the name tasting bitter on my tongue.

"And he’s a bad catch, because?" Wolf, who had been silent all along, asked, his deep voice rumbling through the room like distant thunder.

I looked at him with fear in my heart. But I knew if I planned on getting my way, I couldn’t afford to back down now.

What was the worst that would happen? They couldn’t exactly beat me up, could they?

The thought alone sent shivers down my spine.

I knew they wouldn’t, but I couldn’t bear to think about it, anyway. Wolf’s massive frame loomed even when he was seated, a constant reminder of the power he held.

"Don’t you have something to say? Answer me!" He pressed, his voice rising slightly.

I jerked in fright at the sudden rise in his voice, my heart hammering wildly in my chest.

"She doesn’t have to marry him, if she doesn’t want to. You’re talking as if it’s such a beautiful thing to be forced to be with someone who wasn’t meant for you. Do you realize she has a mate? How is she supposed to navigate that entire situation when they all eventually got together?" Jed came to my rescue, to my utmost surprise.

Seconds after my shock passed, I figured he was only doing this for his selfish gain.

Why else would he possibly come to my defense? The thought made my stomach twist, but I was grateful for the momentary reprieve.

"You have to be very careful with the way you talk to me, boy. I’d snap your neck if I have to," Wolf warned with a low growl, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I’m just saying. You rebelled when father gently suggested you go out with Laura. Why can’t she do the same?" Jed doubled down, his voice steady despite the threat.

Wolf growled, and was already rising to his feet, when Cade intervened, his hand shooting out to stop him.

"Sit down, Wolf. I think the boy is right. We’ve all rebelled in one way or the other. Maybe it’s her turn to do the same," he said, his tone calm but authoritative.

"Well father is not going to let her rebel against him. Not when he’s obviously dead set on seeing her married to Liam. And why exactly are you so quiet, Seth?" Caleb directed at Seth, who on second thought I realized had really been quiet. His silence had been noticeable, a heavy presence in the room.

Everyone’s eyes turned towards him, expecting him to come to my defense.

Instead, he rose to his feet, and walked towards the door, his movements deliberate and unhurried.

"No one has been dismissed yet. Where do you think you’re going?" Cade questioned him, his voice sharp with surprise.

"Rebelling," he replied, and walked out without looking back.

That was all the courage I needed. "Seth!" I called, running after him, my heart pounding as I pushed past my brothers and followed him into the hallway.