Sunflower (Temporarily on Hold)

Chapter 8; not with you

Sorry for the long wait folks. I had to finish writing The Curse of an Alpha and I also had some health issues going on. But from now on this book is my main priority! Enjoy.

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Ophelia

Nerves nestled into her rib cage as her mama manoeuvred around Dani's large frame, which easily towered over the chair, and sat at the foot of her bed. She sensed the anxiety in her more than she saw it, that with Dani's refusal to meet her eyes it made Ophelia a nervous mess.

She bit her bottom lip, eyes glancing between the two, before finally, her mother spoke, "Philly-"

"Perhaps I should? " Dani interrupted. "It was my offer, after all. And that way you can pack some of your things while I talk to Ophelia."

Suspicion grew within her, "why would she pack her bags?"

Her mama's eyes flickered to hers with concern. Despite this, it seemed like her decision was made as she gave a firm nod. "You're an angel, truly. Do you mind if you..."

"No problem, Ms Rose," Dani flashed her a confident grin, sealing her mama's obvious affection for him. 

It was obvious that they both knew something that she didn't, and it was even clearer that they had arranged it behind Ophelia's back while she was in a coma. Despite the nerves, she doubted that the news would be the worst thing to happen to her. It could never compare to the past two years, nor to the event a few days ago which she refused to even think about. She wasn't going to torture herself with his return.

When her mama left the room, and her with a stranger no less, Dani shifted his attention to study Ophelia's face. Her face warmed at the heat in his glacier eyes, so much so that she had to refrain from the urge to hide her face in the hospital's comforter. That would make her look even more pathetic than she already did. She swallowed the cotton in her mouth and raised her eyebrows in feigned indifference.

The corners of Dani's mouth twitched in repressed amusement.

"Why did you lie about what happened?" Ophelia finally broke the tense silence, unable to withstand his gaze any longer. She fingered the threaded blanket, casting her eyes away from his. He unnerved her more than she liked to admit, and that in return made her feel vulnerable. 

"Would you have preferred that I tell your mother about how I happen to grow a tail?" Laughter laced his words. 

She stifled the urge to scowl. "No, but I don't think the damage looked much like a burglary, from what I remember," this time she met his eyes.

Dani pursed his lips, his hands folded on top of his knees. She couldn't help but stare at the swirls of ink tattooed on his skin. She cursed inwardly as she realised that he had rather nice hands, in fact, they would be perfect for drawing. Was everything about this man beautiful, or was it just the concussion that made it appear so?

His mouth twitched once more, "and what exactly do you remember?"

Ophelia winced, recoiling from the onslaught of memories and the fear that had overpowered her. His gaze softened and he reached out a hand as if he were to touch her though he let it drop inches away from her skin. 

She swallowed the nerves. "Not much, just, well, him and you fighting. The forest..." She let her voice trail off.

"It was foolish of you to run off into the forest on your own," Dani's gaze hardened, "his wolves weren't far off and they could have easily taken you."

Ophelia hadn't thought of that when she made the decision to hide amidst the trees. "I suppose I'm lucky that it was you that found me, then."

"That depends on who you're asking," the right corner of his mouth curled up into a lopsided grin, "though some would argue that it was misfortune rather than luck."