Caged

Chapter 21.

I laughed and fell back to lay staring up at the ceiling. "It was just a coincidence. Neither of us could sleep and happened to end up here."

"Right!" She said rolling over to face me as she rolled her eyes dramatically. "And I'm a butterfly that's going to fly away any minute. I don't believe that story. There's got to be more to it than that. You both looked like the cat that ate the canary coming out of that room."

I shook my head and covered my face with my hands. "I swear! Nothing happened. Ivy...it's going to drive me crazy. I can't think straight with him around me. I know it's hurting him, but I know why he's doing this. It doesn't make it any easier." I sighed and let my face fall to the side to face her.

"I know girl. Listen, it's going to be ok. He's going to find a way out of this. He always does. Just trust him. In the meantime, let's use some of that bottled up aggression shall we?" She teased as she popped up, holding her hand out to help me up.

I willingly took it, glad to know I had at least one person who understood, one person I could confide in who would keep me distracted. At least for now.

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"Ok, time for a break. Let's go get some food!" Ivy said, perkier than normal for someone who just spent the last two hours sparring with me. "Then we can come back and do some group work. The boys should be here too, so you know... you can show off some of your new skills." She said with a wink.

I laughed and followed her out of the training center and into the dining hall, quickly filling my plate full to appease my growing appetite. I was starving. I sat down and began to dig in when I heard a familiar snide voice speaking over my shoulder. 

"You know...I wish I could be more like you Thalia." 

I put down the pizza I was about to dig into to look over my shoulder at her. "Oh?" 

Soleil was smirking down at me, her eyes looking innocent as she batted her eyelashes. "I wish I could not care about my figure and eat whatever I wanted."

"You bitch, I'll..." I heard Ivy snarled but I put my hand up to silence her. 

"No Ivy, it's ok. She's right. I don't really need to be too concerned with my appearances. You want to know why?" I said with a smirk playing on my lips.

Soleil rolled her eyes and crossed her arms across her full chest, raising her eyebrows as she shifted her weight. 

"Come here, I'll tell you." I said, sticking my finger out to bring her forward. She leaned in, listening as I whispered. "Because the Alpha wants me for who I am on the inside, because I'm his true mate, not because of what's between my albeit gorgeous legs."

She reared back, scowling as her eyes flashed angrily, swirling darker. "You're lying. I now it's not true. Besides..." She said, smirking haughtily as she regained her composure. "He wants me for everything else in between too. He couldn't get enough when we were together. Trust. Me." She said, drawing her finger up as she pointed from her legs up her swiveling body before running across her lips as she winked seductively at me. 

My hands clenched tightly, but I consciously released them before responding evenly with a shrug. "Well, if I only had looks to offer, I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing, but it's just never enough to keep them is it? Seems he got bored with all of that finally." I said, mimicking her movement before winking back at her.

She leaned forward slowly and sneered, "We'll see about that." With a quick spin, she strutted out of the room, leaving a wake of gazing eyes on her as she left. 

I blew a breath out of my nose as I watched her, knowing she was going to find Rhett. Surely he wouldn't give her the time of day, would he?

"That. Was. Everything." Ivy said, slow clapping as I turned back to face her. 

I drug a hand over my face as I groaned. "I just sent her straight to him. What was I thinking?"

"He won't give her a second glance. They literally got together for a millisecond and then he wised up. She's a crazy one that one. Don't worry about it girl. He's all yours." She wiggled her eyebrows at me and we finished eating in silence. 

Asher plopped down with a grunt as he bumped into Ivy at the table. "Which one of you pissed of Soleil already?" He said, his voice holding humor as he leaned over to kiss Ivy's cheek.

Ivy laughed and pointed a thin finger at me. "This one got her good. But she was asking for it."

Asher looked at me with a smirk. "Well, you definitely don't seem to care about putting a target on your back do you? She already hates you you know?" 

I shrugged and shoved the last bite of food into my mouth. "Like I care. She came after me first. She needs to learn her place and leave me be."

He laughed and draped his arm around Ivy as she pushed her plate away. "Well, this should make for an interesting afternoon of training. She's going to come for you. Watch out." Asher leaned over, nuzzling into Ivy's neck as she giggled. 

A pang tightened in my chest and I tried to hide my reaction, but I couldn't help but envy them. I'd never known that type of interaction, that type of love. I slowly stood and grabbed my plate as Ivy's eyes met mine. "I'm going to go grab something in my room before I the session starts. See you there ok?" I said lightly, trying to disguise the hurt inside of me.

Ivy gave me a knowing look but nodded with a smile. "Don't be late." She said before turning to face Asher.

I'd accepted that I wouldn't have what the two of them had. Known that the fleeting happiness I'd had at the beginning with Cage was all I'd ever have or be able to replicate. But now that I'd felt the surge of the bond, known what it could be like, how could I not fight for it? How could I not be jealous of those that had it? 

An angry surge began to push through me, filling the the ache in my chest as I walked up to my room, placing my hand on the door before I heard a thud from behind Rhett's door, followed by a feminine giggle. 

What the hell?

I hesitated, hovering at my door before I let my curiosity get the best of me. I stepped across the hall, placing my hand on the doorknob and was yanked forward as the door opened. My eyes fell on a familiar pair of long tan legs before my eyes snapped up to see a smirking Soleil pulling her tight white tank down over her bra and exposed lean stomach. 

My eyes widened as I tried to wipe the surprise off of my face but it was too late. I straightened as she leaned forward, sneering every word. "I guess we see who he got bored with."

"Get the fuck out Soleil!" 

My gaze turned to see Rhett's angry face snarling at her, his muscles bulging as his shoulders rolled with tension. She shrugged and winked down at me as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. The scent hit me like a brick wall before I could blink. His scent. It was all over her.